State making push for H1N1 vaccinations this week

Numerous H1N1 flu vaccination clinics are scheduled across the state this week. The Minnesota Department of Health has encouraged all providers and public health clinics to make a special effort to get people vaccinated, as part of the agency's "Ban the Bug" campaign.

Epidemiologist Kris Ehresmann said many people were too busy to get vaccinated during the holidays. She said the Department's campaign is a reminder that there's still time to do it now.

"The intent of the week is really to bring the idea of vaccination into people's minds and to say, 'You know what, it's not too late to be vaccinated. Take advantage of that,'" Ehresmann said. "And in Minnesota we put a spin on it and we call it ban the bug. In other words get vaccinated and don't give the virus a fighting chance."

Ehresmann said the vaccine supply in Minnesota is plentiful, and it should be easy to find doses anywhere in the state.

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