Last wednesday, October 28th, I started my dayside live shot shift for the 5 and 6 pm shows. I arrived at the station around 9 am to work on my non-profit story and discuss with my assignment editor how to best report my story for the day. I found the story on Tuesday and I needed to be at the station early so I could head out into the field by 11 am, when usually dayside live reporters do not arrive until noon or 1 pm. The first swine flu clinic in Boone County was being held at the Boone County Health Department, but not everyone was eligible for the vaccine. The clinic was giving the shot form or the flu mist to only children ages 6 months to four years old at no charge. The Missouri Department of Health made the decision a week ago to lift the ban on a restriction against children getting the swine flu vaccine because it contains a mercury preservative that was originally thought to be dangerous. The CDC approved that this mercury preservative, thimerosal was safe for children so Missouri finally lifted their ban as well.
Considering the clinic only lasted from 1 pm to 5 pm and there was a limited amount of vaccine, we expected to see a large crowd lining up for the vaccine. When I arrived at the Health Department in Columbia around noon, I was not surprised to see a large line of parents and children all along the front of the building. I met a local parent and her son who was getting the vaccine, and was able to follow them inside as they waited and then received the swine flu mist. I also spoke with a few other parents who were excited about this opportunity to keep their children healthy.
It turned out to be a solid story and after my day at the clinic, here is my live hit from the 6 pm show!
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