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BROWN COUNTY -Just a couple weeks from her sixth birthday in early 2001, Abby Peterson seemed to be recovering from the chicken pox.

She fell violently ill and died on the way to the hospital, just 10 hours after showing symptoms.

Abby Peterson never received a chicken pox (varicella) or pneumococcal vaccine after a pediatrician convinced her mother, Shannon Duffy Peterson of rural Sleepy Eye, that she didn't need them.

The child got a severe case of chicken pox that made her so weak, she got a second infection, a form of pneumonia that the pneumococcal vaccine protects against.

The child's autopsy showed she never had a spleen, which was not known until after she died, Peterson said.

After that experience, Peterson became a vaccination advocate.

Her quests have included testifying for a law requiring both vaccinations before the Minnesota state legislature in 2003, which led to them being added to the vaccination schedule, Peterson added.

Last month, Peterson testified at the Center for Disease Control (CDD) in Atlanta.

She will appear in 30 and 60-second public service announcements promoting vaccinations. The videos were created in a New York City film production studio.

Peterson's story was printed in Parenting magazine and in a Twin Cities newspaper and television station.

She said her 50-year-old uncle "nearly died" from H1N1 flu earlier this year. He spent weeks at Methodist Hospital in the Twin Cities.

Peterson said anybody should get the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine, but especially children with underlying medical conditions like asthma.

"There are always people against flu shots, but there are for just about anything," Peterson added.

Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz said 309 vaccinations were given at Sleepy Eye Public School on Tuesday.

Moritz said all Brown County medical clinics have varying amounts of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

"People can call their clinic to verify if vaccines are available," she added. "If you and/or your children are in a priority group and can't find the vaccine, call Brown County Public Health at 507-233-6820."

The County sponsors a free, by appointment only, H1N1 vaccination clinic for children age 2-9 without underlying health conditions, 8 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Nov. 24 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Brown County Public Health, 1117 Center.

The vaccination clinic is also for children age 4-18 with underlying health conditions (asthma, diabetes and other diseases). Children must be accompanied by adults.

Call 233-6820, visit the office or visit www.co.brown.mn.us for more information.

Moritz said people should seek medical treatment if their children have a very high fever and/or difficulty breathing.

Washing hands in soap and water for 10-20 seconds is the best way to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others, the CDC said.

Covering sneezing and coughing is another important way to prevent spreading disease.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.