LIBERTY, MO -
Communities on both sides of the state line have begun giving out free vaccinations against the H1N1 flu virus, and people are waiting in long lines to protect themselves and their children against the illness.
On the Haskel Indian Nation Campus in Lawrence, hundreds braved the raw weather on Wednesday for a dose of the H1N1 vaccine. Currently, only high-priority groups like those from six months to 24 years, caregivers, and those with chronic health problems can get the vaccines.
"Because its a virus we haven't seen before, it certain is a reason to be alarmed," said Lisa Horn of the Douglas County Health Department. "But we want people to use common sense. Obviously if you get too stressed out about it, your immune system is going to be weakened, and that puts you at more risk to get ill."
It was a similar scene in Liberty, Missouri, where officials with the Clay County Health Department gave doses of flu vaccine to healthy 2-4 year olds. But there are still large crowds of concerned parents who had weighted the pros and cons of the vaccinations.
"I didn't want to trust internet blogging," said Chryssie Livia, a concerned parent. "I went to two sources, one being the health department and the other being my doctor. We felt after the second time he advised us to go ahead with it, knowing it was a live vaccine we said lets err on the side of caution."
Clay County officials say that they gave out the 500 vaccine mist doses they had on hand. In Lawrence, officials gave out about 1,300 shots and nasal mist doses.
On the Haskel Indian Nation Campus in Lawrence, hundreds braved the raw weather on Wednesday for a dose of the H1N1 vaccine. Currently, only high-priority groups like those from six months to 24 years, caregivers, and those with chronic health problems can get the vaccines.
"Because its a virus we haven't seen before, it certain is a reason to be alarmed," said Lisa Horn of the Douglas County Health Department. "But we want people to use common sense. Obviously if you get too stressed out about it, your immune system is going to be weakened, and that puts you at more risk to get ill."
It was a similar scene in Liberty, Missouri, where officials with the Clay County Health Department gave doses of flu vaccine to healthy 2-4 year olds. But there are still large crowds of concerned parents who had weighted the pros and cons of the vaccinations.
"I didn't want to trust internet blogging," said Chryssie Livia, a concerned parent. "I went to two sources, one being the health department and the other being my doctor. We felt after the second time he advised us to go ahead with it, knowing it was a live vaccine we said lets err on the side of caution."
Clay County officials say that they gave out the 500 vaccine mist doses they had on hand. In Lawrence, officials gave out about 1,300 shots and nasal mist doses.
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