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Get your swine flu shots, U.S. health secretary says at Bradenton clinic

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By CHIP OSOWSKI | News Channel 8

Published: November 10, 2009

The U.S. secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services says people in high-risk categories need to get their swine flu shots as soon as possible.

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made that statement today as she toured the Manatee County Rural Health Services Complex in Bradenton.

Vaccinating high-risk populations "is still the priority and I think we're going to get a step ahead of this." Sebelius said.

Even people who already had the disease should get the shots, she said.

"It could still mutate," she said. "We are still just at the beginning of flu season."

The H1N1 strain of the flu is still spreading, she said.

"About 48 states have a good penetration of the H1N1 virus," said Sebelius.

And even though there are 41 million doses of the vaccine, demand outweighs supply.

But Sebelius sees some positive in that.

The demand may mean those who really do need the shots are seeking them out, she said.

News Chanel 8 reporter Chip Osowski can be reached at (813) 221-5784.

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