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Mayo vaccinates employees for H1N1, seasonal flu

10/27/2009 6:22:49 PM

By Jeff Hansel
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

Mayo Clinic employees lined up in droves on Tuesday to get H1N1 influenza vaccinations. 





Got symptoms? Call the state FluLine, 1-866-259-4655

When can I get a shot? Watch for announcements soon.

Where can I get more information? Call the Olmsted County influenza information line at 328-7500 or go to flu.gov.





"I feel really great. I work with very sick patients, and I think it's very important to protect them, and my family," said Marian Marsh, who works on a cardiovascular unit at Saint Marys Hospital.

Mayo dispensed the nasal mist form of the H1N1 vaccine and a limited supply of the injectable form of the seasonal flu vaccine at no charge to employees, retirees and volunteers. People can receive both vaccines at the same time, according to a Mayo Clinic newsletter.

The clinic lasted until 4 p.m.

Jean Bowser, a clinical assistant who commutes from Iowa, said she came to Rochester on her day off to get vaccinated.

"It's the first time I've ever done the mist, and it was a breeze," Bowser said.

Mayo officials did not have an estimate of how many employees were vaccinated. Dozens of employees could be seen streaming through lines.

Other groups are to be offered vaccinations in the coming weeks.

Health officials first innoculated pregnant women.

Now, vaccination clinics are being set up for children 18 and under.

Here are some:

• Fillmore County Public Health, 902 Houston St. N.W., Preston, Nov. 4 for pregnant women, caregivers of infants under age 6 months, children 6 months to 4 years old and children age 5 to 18 with underlying health conditions. If you are not in those categories, you will be turned away.

Mayo Clinic, by appointment only, starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday, for pregnant women, children 6 months to 4 years old and children age 5 to 18 with chronic medical conditions like chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver disease; diabetes; HIV; weakened immune systems due to cancer or medications such as steroids, or neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy that increase the risk of aspiration. Call (507) 266-0011 to schedule an appointment.

After these risk groups are vaccinated, it's likely that people 18 to 49 with underlying health conditions will get vaccinated. Lastly, the general public will be served.

• Austin Medical Center received shipment of H1N1 vaccination in the form of nasal spray to be administered by appointment only to Austin area patients, including people in the regional communities of Blooming Prairie, Adams, Grand Meadow, and LeRoy.

The first group of patients eligible are:

• Normal and healthy children 2 to 18 years of age

• Healthy persons who live with or provide care to infants less than 6 months old

• Health care and emergency medical services staff only who have direct contact with patients or infectious materials.

Appointments for children who meet the eligibility requirements may be made by calling Austin Medical Center at 433-8758 to between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Reporter Jeff Hansel covers health for the Post-Bulletin. Read his blog, Pulse on Health, at Postbulletin.com.

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Mayo employees get H1N1 shots
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Mayo Clinic employees line up to receive H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines Tuesday outside the Heritage Hall conference room at the Kahler Hotel.

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