Santa's Wish: To be added to H1N1 priority list

St. Nick will soon be making his annual pilgrimage to shopping centers, holiday celebrations, and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

He makes the mall magical and mysterious. He's the white-whiskered visitor who grants wishes to those who've been nice. But this year Santa has a wish. It's neither a new sleigh nor a slick new red suit. Jolly ole' St. Nick wants a shot in the arm.

Santa fears the little dears who come with smiles to see him here might bring more than milk and cookies. As evidence of the concern, the president of a group called Santa America asked a congressman to designate Santas a priority group for receiving the vaccine.

And while Santa loves his annual visit to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, he's concerned about staying healthy for himself and the little ones who will see him.

"Santa very much knows the importance of the H1N1 vaccination, and he's working with his county health department to find out where to get the vaccination," said Craig Elmsweller, vice president of operations at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

But that could be a challenge for St. Nick. He currently does not fall into any of the CDC's vaccination priority groups. But local malls and the Children's Museum are doing their part to keep everyone healthy.

"We'll have hand sanitizer outside the exhibit at Jolly Days. We'll also have them inside the exhibit as well. You know Santa wears gloves because it's cold up in the North Pole, and he'll be changing those during the day also."

Santa flies into the Children's Museum of Indianapolis on November 27th. By this weekend, he'll land in all 10 Simon Malls in central Indiana. Every location will provide hand sanitizer for all good boys and girls.