As Texans get their H1N1 vaccinations, many are getting some side effects that they have not seen before. So, instead of calling their doctor, more are calling the Central Texas Poison Center.

The lines at the center are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it’s free.
“We have had some patients that have had serious reactions and some with minor reactions,” said Doug Borys with
Central Texas Poison Center Director. “We have also had people who call who are just wondering.”
So far, the center has gotten over two dozens calls from people reporting adverse effects from the flu vaccine.

Every call the center gets over side effects from vaccinations is then reported to the health department.
“Whether it’s due to a flu vaccine, Tamiflu or Tylenol, no matter what, it should be followed up on because we don’t want that to happen ever again to another person,” said Borys.
But the calls the center is getting now about H1N1, Borys says is just the tip of the iceberg.
Borys said Wednesday that the H1N1 vaccine has only been out for several weeks, so they expect even more calls about it this month and next.
“As time goes on, more people get their vaccinations and more people are exposed to the flu,” said Borys. “Our call volume is going to go up.”
And when the call volume goes up, he said pharmacists and nurses on the other end of the line will be ready.

The reports that are sent to the State Health Department are then sent to the Centers for Disease Control.