While many children are preparing their holiday wish lists, so is Saint Nicholas. Santa wants to make sure he is healthy on Christmas and is not in bed with
swine flu. Several groups are calling on healthcare workers to make the swine flu vaccines available to Santa.
For a child, he can be the most exciting part of the holidays. This year though some parents have concerns about taking their kids to see Santa due to the swine flu outbreak.
The concerns aren't just for the little ones this holiday season. A group called
Santa America wants to make sure Santa is protected. "Children who will come to see Santa, some who may not be in the best of health themselves, may be contagious," John Scheuch with Santa America said.
Scheuch is urging health administrators to put Santa on the priority list for swine flu vaccines. "You can be contagious up to 24 hours prior to symptoms showing up. Imagine how many children Santa might see in that 24 hour period," Scheuch said.
Santa America encourages Santa and his helpers to put safety first before taking those Christmas wish lists.
FOX16 contacted Cherry Hill Photo, the company that brings Santa to the Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock. A representative said Santa may or may not have the swine flu shot and it's not a requirement. Officials at McCain Mall in North Little Rock said they plan to have hand sanitizer on site for Santa and his visitors.
