CONCORD, N.H. — Forget cookies and milk. Santa wants the swine-flu vaccine.
Many of the nation’s Santas want to be given priority for the vaccine and not just because of those runny-nosed kids. There’s also the matter of that round belly. Research has suggested obesity could be a risk factor.
The Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas featured a seminar on the illness at a recent conference in Philadelphia. The group also urged its members to use hand sanitizer and take vitamins to boost their immune systems.
The president of the organization said he also hopes parents will keep sick kids away.
“We don’t want any child to go without seeing Santa, but it’s not worth bringing your child to the mall, infecting (others),” Nicholas Trolli said.
Susen Mesco of American Events and Promotions in Denver, which runs a Santa school, said her Santas will change gloves every three hours.
