13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Mall Santas demand H1N1 vaccine
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Jennie Runevitch/Eyewitness News
It seems concern over the H1N1 flu has gone all the way to the North Pole. Some Santa stand-ins say they're at high risk for the flu and should get the vaccine first.
Every holiday season, Santa's helpers welcome children to their laps, pose for pictures, and hear hundreds of holiday wishes. But a lot of kids also carry a lot of germs.
This season, the H1N1 flu prompted new procedures for Old St. Nick and the children coming to see him.
At Greenwood Park Mall, before kids get in line, they can get hand sanitizer (dubbed "santa-tizer") for the season.
But some say more should be done to keep Santa himself safe. In fact, The Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas wants their helpers to get the vaccine first.
The international association believes Santas should be included with people in high-risk categories.
"If he gets it, he spreads it on to all the other kids, so yeah, I think he should be in a high-risk category," said grandparent John McIntire.
"They're saying health care providers and people who are in contact with kids should get it, so for that concern, I can see why they'd want it," added parent Natalie Lyons.
Greenwood Park's Santa disagrees.
"I don't want to be paranoid," he said. "I'm not about to push somebody out of line in order for me to get one of those H1N1 flu shots. I get a seasonal flu shot every year, but I don't think I want to be special."
He says children should take priority, and hopes if they are sick, parents will wait a while for a visit.
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