WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Better watch out, better not cough: Santas lobby for swine flu vaccine
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Associated Press - November 17, 2009 4:25 PM ET
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Santa Claus is coming to town, and he wants the swine flu vaccine.
The president of a national volunteer Santa group wants Santas to be given priority for the vaccine, and not just because they're exposed to kids. Research has suggested obesity could be a risk factor for severe swine flu, and Ernest Berger of Santa America says about a third of the nation's Santas are at least 100 pounds overweight.
Berger has asked Alabama Rep. Jo Bonner to look into the idea. Meanwhile, Santas across the country are taking off their gloves, pulling out the hand sanitizer and taking other precautions to avoid spreading germs.
Dr. Jack Turco, director of Dartmouth College Health Service says Santa might consider greeting children from a few feet away rather than holding them on his lap, or asking children with coughs to stand in a separate line.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
