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DHSS workers receive H1N1 vaccinations

DHSS worker Larraine Tappel of Jefferson City receives an H1N1 flu shot.
Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
DHSS worker Larraine Tappel of Jefferson City receives an H1N1 flu shot.

By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio

Jefferson City, Mo. – A free clinic was set up today in Jefferson City to immunize State Department of Health employees against the H1N1 flu virus.

Cole County Health Department workers administered the shots and nasal mists, which were provided by the federal government.

Margaret Donnelly is the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

"It's our responsibility in this state, as the public health agency, to make sure that we promote immunization for the flu, and so we thought it would be a great idea for us to have our day, and show everyone the importance of being immunized," Donnelly said.

More than 200 DHSS employees received free H1N1 vaccinations, most of them by needle, but 30 nasal mist doses were also given out.

Larraine Tappel of Jefferson City, one of the last ones in line, got the needle.

"I don't normally get them, these vaccines," Tappel said.

And when asked if she thought she was setting an example by being vaccinated?

"Yes! Yes, that's what I'm doing, setting an example for my employee over there...she's gonna get hers next," Tappel said and laughed, as did her anonymous employee.

Donnelly says health agencies in other cities across the state will also hold free clinics to get more people immunized against H1N1. It's part of National Influenza Vaccination Week, which begins January 10th.

Dates and locations for flu vaccinations, including H1N1, can be found on the Department of Health and Senior Services website:

dhss.mo.gov

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