Some Local Health Leaders Insist H1N1 Vaccine Safe

So far nearly 200,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine have been given in Tennessee and health leaders say they've had no major complications. Despite that, some parents are still not convinced that is is safe and they are not letting their children get the vaccine. In fact, more than three quarters of the parents in Sullivan County said no to their kids being vaccinated at school. Several parents have told us their child's doctor advised against it because it was rushed through production.

Dr. Stephen May with the Sullivan County Health Department insists that this vaccine will not cause harmful effects. "Yes, it was rushed through production but using standardized seasonal flu preparation techniques we've used for years. And so it's made just like seasonal flu," said May.

Doctor May says the vaccine has now been around long enough and has the data to back up the fact that it's perfectly safe.
He encourages all those in the target groups to get the vaccine.

According to the CDC, the groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine include:

Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.