Johnson City, Tenn. -- The first batch of the H1N1 vaccine is now available for some health care professionals in our area, but just as average people may have concerns about the vaccines, some health care workers may be a little nervous, too.
People may have concerns about the vaccine after hearing about the one from the 70's, which is perceived to have had a connection to more serious illnesses. However, Infection Prevention Manager at Mountain States Health Alliance, Rebecca Bartles, says most of that concern is unfounded. She says if there was an association, it was very small.
When it comes to the nasal spray versus the injection vaccine, only healthy people between the ages of two and 49 can get the mist spray. Bartles said it does have a small chance of spreading the virus, since it is made of a live virus, but the chance is very small.
Mountain States says they doing everything they can to get them the information they need to realize how important the H1N1 vaccine is this year.
"The general sentiment is that the vaccine is safe; it's effective; and it's a necessary thing for health care workers," says Interum Manager of MSHA Infection Prevention, Rebecca Bartles. "There are always folks that feel nervous about these things, and we're trying to do our best to provide them information they need to help calm their nerves."
Mountain States reports that many people who declined to get the regular flu vaccine in the past have already done so this year, and most plan to get the H1N1 vaccine, too.
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