CNN iReport

I was able to get an H1N1 vaccination at one of the clinics organized around the county by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health for the following groups:

• Pregnant women

• People who live with or care for infants

• Health care and emergency personnel

• Anyone between 6 months and 24 years old

• Anyone between 24 and 64 years old with a medical condition

The first thing visible upon arrival at a center set up at Chevy Chase Park was the police presence in the completely packed parking lot. However, the line was orderly and the officer commented that morning crowd was even busier, but had cleared up by the afternoon. Unfortunately, the supply of seasonal flu vaccines had run out, but there were still H1N1 vaccinations still available.

The operation appeared to be well staffed and the entire process took me less than half an hour. Some routine questions were brought up in the screening process, such as whether I was already sick. I was also asked whether I had a severe allergy to eggs -- apparently folks who do can't get this shot. There's also two variations of the vaccination: a nasal spray with the live virus and a syringe with the inactivated (dead) virus. Because I have an infant in the household, I was recommended the injection with a needle.

Now why would anyone not want the "dead" virus injected rather than the live one? The fine print on the medical literature at the clinic indicated that some flu injections may contain a preservative called thimerosal, which has been at the center of a controversy over its mercury content possibly being linked to autism in young children and is supposed to be phased out of childhood vaccines. A shortage of H1N1 vaccines has forced California to temporarily suspend measure AB 2943, which normally restricts the use of thimerosal, until November 30th. This sounds like a good question to ask our pediatrician just to be sure.

For more information about these clinics, visit:

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health

Video recorded with an iPod Nano 5G.