Oklahoma seeks H1N1 vaccine for 15,000 inmates, guards

Swine flu clinics set
Four public swine flu immunization clinics are scheduled this month at Oklahoma City-area schools, including one Saturday at John Marshall High School. Vaccinations are free and will be offered to pregnant women, people 6 months to 18 years old, custodial parents of infants younger than 6 months old, adults age 19 to 64 with chronic disease and health care workers who have direct contact with acutely ill patients.

The clinics are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at these dates and locations:

• Saturday: John Marshall High School, 12201 N Portland Ave.

• Nov. 14: Star Spencer High School, 3001 N Spencer Road, Spencer.

• Nov. 14: Douglass Mid-High School, 900 Martin Luther King Ave.

• Nov. 21: Northwest Classen High School, 2801 NW 27.

No seasonal flu vaccinations will be given at the clinics. Spanish translators will be available.

Anyone bringing a child to a vaccination clinic who is not the parent must have a signed and dated permission slip from the parent authorizing the immunizations. The slip must read:

I (full name of parent) give permission for (full name of person) to obtain the H1N1 vaccination for: (All children must be listed with full names and dates of birth).

The White House says detainees at Guantanamo Bay are not receiving vaccinations against the swine flu. Robert Gibbs on Tuesday said concern that terrorism suspects at the U.S. naval base in Cuba were receiving vaccines was misplaced. Gibbs says no vaccines are at the naval base and none are on the way. A spokesman for the U.S. jail facility a day earlier said guards and then inmates were scheduled for inoculations. Critics were fast to object, saying U.S. civilians were waiting for vaccines while suspected terrorists were being given injections.

A senior House lawmaker is asking Congress to guarantee paid sick leave to workers if their employer asks them to stay home with swine flu or a similar contagious illness. House Education and Labor Committee chairman George Miller says his measure would protect about 50 million workers that don’t have paid sick leave. Many work in food service and hospitality, where they could make others sick. Miller says workers shouldn’t have to choose between paychecks and the health of co-workers or customers. A hearing will take place this month. Miller plans to seek a quick floor vote.

ASSOCIATED PRESS