Virgina Health Department Encourages 18-24 Year Olds To Get H1N1 Vaccine

By Kavitha Cardoza

Health experts in Virginia say they're are still trying to encourage some young people to get their H1N1 shots.

So far, health providers have distributed almost 2.5 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine in Virginia, and approximately a quarter of all children between one month and 18 years have had a shot. But Dr. Karen Remley, the state's health commissioner, says just 5 percent of residents between 18 and 24 have been vaccinated. She says that's because members of that age group see themselves as invulnerable.

"They're lots of studies done looking at that population, where they don't need reassurance because they don't think of themselves as getting sick, they don't really think of themselves as needing to worry about their health because they are generally so very healthy," says Dr. Remley.

Remley says the health department is working with youth groups and colleges to educate that age group about the vaccine.