Columbus Health Department Distributes H1N1 Injection Vaccine

Today was the first day the department started administering the injections.

According to the centers for disease control, a pregnant woman who contracts any type of flu virus specifically the Swine Flu is more likely to be admitted to the hospital. They are also more likely to have serious illness and death from the flu.

These facts prompted one woman to head to the Health Department as soon as the injections arrived.

“I’m going to be administering the H1N1 Today, it is the inactivated virus,“ says Safe Kids of Columbus Director Christy Hubbard.

Hubbard initially had reservations about getting the H1N1 vaccine. But through research, she says she knew it would be best for her and her child.

“I did all of my research about the vaccine and once I did my research and asked my doctor and consulted with my doctor, I had no reservations,“ she says.

After her shot was finished, “I feel great, I feel protected,“ says Hubbard.

The Health Department says more people are wanting to feel protected now that the shot form is available.

“We’ve had a lot of requests phone calls and we’ve seen just as many come to the Health Department for the vaccine,“ explains Clinical Nurse Director Sheila Mayfield.

That was not the initial response the Health Department received when the nasal form arrived in Columbus. It was slow, but clinical Nurse Director Sheila Mayfield says people have had time to learn more about the virus.

“They realize the importance of getting vaccinated, they’ve heard about the cases we’ve had in the hospital how severe this illness is,“ says Mayfield.

Doctors say after receiving the vaccine, it takes about two weeks for your body to build immunity to the virus. Hubbard says her daily rituals will still go on.

“I’m gonna still practice distancing myself from big groups and washing my hands and keeping up the good practices I have been doing.“

For more information on where you can receive an H1N1 vaccination click here.