SYRACUSE -- Health care workers at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center were the first in line Thursday to get the H1N1 "swine flu" vaccine. The goal is to prevent the spread of swine flu. "I'm here today in an effort to convince everyone else here in the hospital that getting their vaccination is a good idea," said Joseph Bick, Manager of Infection, Prevention and Control at St. Joe's.
Bick was among the first to get the nasal spray version of the swine flu vaccine. "The easiest way for me to convince people is to get the vaccine myself," he said.
The hospital expects to get 600 more doses by tomorrow and they hope to have all health care workers vaccinated for both the swine flu and seasonal flu by the end of the year. "I think it's helpful to show everybody else in the hospital that it's a good thing to do and everybody needs to be protected to protect not only ourselves but our patients as well," said Adrianne O'Quinn, a first year resident.
While health care workers at St. Joe's are lining up to get the vaccine, others feel they're being forced into it and say they don't want the swine flu shot. It was just last week when health care workers were rallying on the steps of the state capitol in Albany, protesting a state regulation that requires them to get the swine flu vaccine or lose their jobs. In fact, a new poll finds nearly 70% of Americans are either on the fence or definitely not getting vaccinated.
Health officials insist there's no difference between the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine. Every vaccine batch is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration before it's shipped. "There's a lot of internet rumor and things like that they really have no basis in science and we really are making an effort to get the information out and answer people's questions," Bick said.
As for O'Quinn and the other health care workers as they get the swine flu vaccine, they say it was quick and painless and they're just glad to be protected. "Not bad, a little bit of a tickle. That's pretty much it. A little drip down the back of the throat, kind of like a runny nose," she said.
