NAMPA -- For hundreds of years, boys and girls have been giving their wish lists to Santa, but this year, Santa is a little worried about receiving unwanted gifts from his visitors.
"I'm exposed at Christmas time to 20,000 little ones and all those germs that come with them," said Michigan Santa.
A Kris Kringle coalition, of sorts, asked to be added to the priority group that qualifies for swine flu vaccines. The CDC made its list and checked it twice, but gave Santa the boot, saying he and his helpers will not get special priority.
"Anytime something effects the health of the people coming into the mall, you have to think and be proactive about that," said Virginia Jacobsen, Karcher Mall.
In Nampa's Karcher Mall, preparations are underway for Santa's visitor station -- but they say they're also ready for runny noses and coughing kids. And, in this case, a Santa who already qualified for the H1N1 vaccine.
"Well, we're very prepared. Santa Claus this year has his flu shot and he has hand sanitizer that will be installed for the children, as well as Santa Claus and the photographers," said Jacobsen. "We want to protect the children and Santa."
We were just wrapping up our visit to the mall when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, Santa without his tiny reindeer. As his elves worked to ready his stage, Santa told me he is not concerned about getting sick.
"No, not really. I love doing this. If I get sick, I get sick," said Nampa Santa.
A sentimental Santa willing to sacrifice.
"Ho, ho, ho...Merry Christmas!"
The Karcher Mall Santa will begin taking visitors the day after Thanksgiving. That's also when the popular downtown Macy's Santa will take up his post.
