Indiana among 1st H1N1 flu vaccinations

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A group of Indiana health care workers are among the first in the nation to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.

Monday morning, Marion County received 5200 H1N1 flu mist doses. The health department is distributing the vaccine to local hospitals.

“This is the first of weekly shipments of H1N1 vaccine that will be coming to our community. Those that work in ER environment,” said Dr. Virginia Cain.

Click here to watch the 2009 H1N1 Vaccination Distribution News Conference

Wishard Memorial Hospital was the first to receive and administer the vaccine. Close to 100 health care workers stood in line to receive the flu mist which is administered through the nose.

“It's just like a little saline spray in the back of the nose. Not a big deal at all,” said ER doctor Charles Miramonti. He had the distinction of being the first person to receive the vaccine.

The Wishard employees had no reservations receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine. Before they were immunized, health experts once again vouched for the safety of the vaccine.

“The H1N1 is safe and effective and it's a way to protect you and your family against this influenza virus,” said Dr. Judy Monroe, State Health Commissioner. “Every precaution has been taken every step has been taken to make sure this vaccine will provide protection.”

Dr. Jay Butler, who works for the Centers for Disease Control, attended the Immunization clinic. He explained why the vaccine is safe.

“It's called cold adaptive which means it doesn't grow well at normal body temperatures. It can grow in the nose and parts of the body that are a little cooler. That's why it is safe and why it doesn't cause influenza.”

Dr. Butler said Indiana was one of the first states to receive the vaccine because it was one of the first states to place an order.

Shipments of the inject able form of the H1N1 vaccine are expected to start arriving next week.

In Indiana, each county health department will decide how to distribute the initial doses of the vaccine. Those doses should arrive within the next few days.