Health experts still aren't sure why pregnant women have more complications from swine flu than some other groups, but they aren't taking any chances. Howard County held a special H1N1 clinic Monday, vaccinating 100 pregnant women. ABC2 News Joce Sterman has more on how these women feel about finally getting a shot, at getting the swine flu shot.
These women are used to waiting. They're all ticking down the days until their babies arrive. But when it comes to the vaccination for swine flu, they don't have to wait. In fact, they're first in line to be protected and for good reason. Howard County Health Officer Doctor Peter Beilenson says, “Pregnant women are at particularly high risk for complications from the flu. Most pregnant women do absolutely fine with the flu but the H1N1 seems to be targeting pregnant women a little bit more."
That's why Howard County is battling back, giving H1N1 shots specifically to 100 expectant moms. Their health department held a special clinic in Columbia. Mom-to-be Kathleen Petty tells ABC2, "I think it's great because I couldn't find it (the vaccine) anywhere else."
Petty wasn’t the only one feeling that way. Some who attended the clinic tell us they got shut out when clinics in other counties went through their supply. Beth Shaw says she made an appointment for this clinic after waiting in line and missing out at another last week. She says, "I guess in the first hour they ran out of room and that was disappointing. They keep saying they're going to have other clinics but they're cancelled. So it's really lucky that I found this."
But health officials don't want luck to be part of this program. That's why more than 100 H1N1 clinics are planned for people at higher risk. As for the risks that come with getting the shot, Beilenson says there’s nothing to worry about, “The H1N1 vaccine is made exactly the same way as the regular seasonal flu vaccine has been made for decades. It has been well proven, well tested and perfectly safe."
