US organisations representing Santa Clauses are demanding that their members should be given priority for vaccinations against the A(H1N1) flu virus.

During a Santa conference in Philadelphia, the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas (Aorbs) called for its members to be considered as a high-risk group. The association says the measure is needed to protect not so much the Santas as the children who come to see them.

Meanwhile Aorbs is advising its members to take extra vitamins and wash their hands well. The same advice applies to children who are determined to scramble up on Santa’s knee, flu or no flu.

Another interest group, the Santa America Group, is also lobbying the government for Santas to get priority for flu jabs. The group’s members, who mainly visit sick children, are being advised to wash their costumes daily instead of weekly. Many Santas are leaving off their gloves so they can wash their hands more frequently.

An added concern for Santa Claus organisations is that research suggests that people who are overweight run a greater risk of contracting the A(H1N1) virus. The president of the Santa America Group says two-thirds of all Santas are overweight and a third are grossly obese.