H1N1 Fears Have El Paso Taking Big Prevention Steps

H1N1 Prevention In The Borderland

Lauren Rozyla/KFOX14 News Reporter
Posted: 7:01 pm MDT April 23, 2011Updated: 9:01 pm MDT April 23, 2011

EL PASO, Texas -- After a man recently died after being diagnosed with H1N1 and the record number of H1N1 deaths in Juárez, Borderland residents took big steps to stay healthy on Saturday afternoon.

More than 200 people received the influenza vaccine through the City of El Paso Department of Public Health at the Bassett Place Mall in Central El Paso.

The clinic was due to start at 10 a.m., but residents were so eager, they lined up early.

"By about 9:30 a.m., we already had 45 to 50 people here," said Gloria Alba, a public health nurse.

The Department of Health saw more people anxious to vaccinate their children than any other age group.

"We did get a lot of a children and infant coming in," said Alba.
Families told KFOX-14 they are worried their kids are more susceptible to the virus. One woman made sure to get her younger sister vaccinated. She said you can't predict what students will bring to school.

"You don't know if they have the shot," said Beatriz Rodriguez, of Chaparral, NM. "At least this is something to protect her."

According to data released from the agency, El Paso has seen 18 reported cases of the flu this month.

For more information about H1N1 and Influenza prevention, visit City of El Paso Department of Health or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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