Kan. gov. to promote swine flu vaccinations

Eds: UPDATES with comments from Parkinson, surgeon general, Kansas health director; ADDS byline, Internet links.

By JOHN MILBURN

Associated Press Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson is appearing in a new public service ad to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated ahead of the next wave of swine flu.

Parkinson is the 15th governor to record an ad designed to promote protection against the H1N1 virus, which has already claimed 22 lives in Kansas. He is joined by the Public Broadcasting System's "Sid the Science Kid" in the new ad.

The governor said during a conference call Monday that supply of the vaccine was equal to demand in Kansas, and in some cases more is available than demand from critical populations.

"We really need to encourage people who need to be vaccinated to receive the vaccination," Parkinson said. "People need to continue to take this seriously.

Kansas health officials estimate that the state has received 700,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine, but that nearly 2 million residents have either not been exposed to the virus or been vaccinated.

Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin said the number of deaths and activity related to swine flu is higher than the traditional flu season and that a third wave of cases is expected after the holidays after travelers return home and schoolchildren go back to the classroom. Benjamin said 47 million Americans have contracted swine flu, with 10,000 deaths.

Health officials have said that children are among the most vulnerable populations for swine flu, along with pregnant women and individuals with underlying chronic health conditions. Some clinics in Kansas have ample supply of the vaccine and are expanding clinics for the general population.

Parkinson gave credit to the state's response to swine flu to the actions of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the adjutant general, especially efforts to establish vaccination centers in each of the 105 counties.

KDHE spokeswoman Maggie Thompson said as of Dec. 5 that there were local outbreaks of swine flu, down from the levels Kansas saw in October.

"What we are seeing is doctors and hospitals seeing fewer patients with flulike illness. There's also less absenteeism at work and schools," she said.

Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, the state health director, said in an op-ed piece released Monday that residents should feel safe about the vaccine and that there were fewer than 5,000 reported cases of side effects out of nearly 64 million doses administered nationwide.

"This much is certain, getting the vaccine is far safer than getting infected with the pandemic virus," he wrote.

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On the Net:

Governor's office: http://www.governor.ks.gov

Kansas Department of Health and Environment: http://www.kdheks.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov