Lawmakers look to persuade most vulnerable to get swine flu vaccine

The "swine flu" vaccine is ready and on its way to California. Now the question is how to persuade the most vulnerable to get vaccinated. KPCC's Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde says that's the question one California lawmaker had for a top government health doctor at a congressional hearing Tuesday.

Kitty Felde: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that those most vulnerable to "swine flu" get the H1N1 vaccine. That group includes anyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years. It also includes pregnant women, parents, and anyone who takes care of babies less than 6 months old, health care workers, and, as always, those with serious health issues.

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa of Temecula wonders whether the federal government should require flu shots for health care workers. The state of New York does that.

Darrell Issa: If the state is right, then why aren't we doing it from this dais? And if the state is wrong, then are these people being adversely forced to do something that is probably outside the need of government?

Felde: New York health care workers marched on the state capitol Tuesday to protest the mandatory flu shots. They call it a "get a shot or get a pink slip" rule. In California, flu shots aren't mandatory for health care workers, and only about half the state's doctors and nurses get them.

Dr. Thomas Frieden heads up the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He says doctors and nurses are already required to get measles shots and tests for tuberculosis. And he says there's a good reason they should get the flu shot:

Dr. Thomas Frieden: The evidence is clear that many patients become ill because they get infected with influenza from health care workers. Furthermore, health care workers are themselves at risk of contracting influenza at their workplaces and bringing it home to their families.

Felde: But Dr. Frieden says a federal mandate isn't necessary this year. Health care workers aren't the only ones who are apprehensive about the swine flu shots. Pregnant women and mothers of young children have been slow to embrace the H1N1 vaccine.

Dr. Jesse Goodman is the chief scientist at the Food and Drug Administration. He says the vaccine's most common side effect is soreness at the immunization site, though some people develop body aches and fatigue. But Dr. Goodman says you can't get the flu from a flu shot.

Dr. Jesse Goodman: Following the nasal spray vaccine, which is a live, weakened virus that similarly cannot cause flu in an individual, side effects may include runny nose, nasal congestion, and fever.

Felde: Dr. Goodman says there may be unexpected serious "medical events" in some rare cases. But he says every day, previously healthy people experience serious and unexpected health problems whether they get a flu shot or not.

Goodman: It's important to realize that when a large number of people are going to get a product in a short period of time, we’re going to see many people who by chance alone may experience serious events that coincide with the time period following immunization.

Felde: Congressman Darrell Issa says he's ready to step up to the plate.

Issa: In this case, since there's a controversy, I intend on getting one of these shots if for no other reason that I believe it's safe and effective.

Felde: Issa won't have to wait long. U.S. health officials say the H1N1 vaccine could be available in some doctors' offices as early as next Monday.