Q & A: Flu shot recipients

Shawnee resident Makaila Rolette, 10, was among those who received seasonal flu vaccination Wednesday at Pottawatomie County Health Department. Makaila’s 2-year-old sister, who previously had brain surgery, was also receiving her vaccination Wednesday, while their mother, who is pregnant, received hers earlier in the week.
Q: What do you think about getting the shot today?
A: Is it going to hurt? — Makaila
Q: What prompted you to bring Makaila in today?
A: She has asthma, that’s why she’s here. I don’t want her to get sick. — Michelle Rolette, Makaila’s mother.
Q: Will you bring your daughters back for the H1N1 vaccine?
A: I’m still up in the air about that.

Norma Hatfield drove from Newalla to receive her seasonal flu vaccination.
Q: Why did you drive from Newalla today for the vaccine?
A: My doctor can’t get the vaccine. They said it would be December before he would have it. That’s too long for me to wait.
Q: Has he always had it by now?
A: Yes. I usually get it at the doctor’s office.
Q: How long have you been receiving seasonal flu shots?
A: At least nine years.
Q: Will you come back for the H1N1 shot if it is available for your age group?
A: No. They don’t know enough about it and my doctor said not to get it. He said if I want to, it’s up to me but he doesn’t recommend it for me.

Shawnee 5-year-old Noah McMullan, who had just recovered from the influenza A virus, was among those receiving the seasonal vaccination Wednesday. His father, Tim McMullan, brought him to the health department for the vaccine.
Q: You said Noah just recovered from the flu?
A: Yes, he tested positive for influenza A.
Q: Why is he here to get vaccinated today?
A: He is finally well enough to get the vaccine and we don’t want him to get the seasonal flu too.
Q: How soon did you know he had the flu?
A: We knew within 12 hours and he was on Tamiflu within 18 hours.
Q: What were the symptoms?
A: He had a bad headache and a fever and a little congestion.
Q: Did you take him to the doctor right away?
A: We called the doctor’s office and they were too full, so he sent us straight to the lab and they confirmed it was influenza A and called in the medicine.
Q: How long was he sick?
A: He was better in a couple of days after starting the medicine.