Members of the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas who favour swine flu vaccinations for Santa Clauses gather in New York on Tuesday. (Kathy Willens/Associated Press)

Ho Ho H1N1: Should Santa Claus be considered a priority for the swine flu shot?

A U.S.-based group representing people who portray Santa Claus during the Christmas season wants its members to be designated a priority group to receive the swine flu vaccine.

Over the next few weeks, Father Christmases will come into contact with thousands of children at shopping malls and Santa Claus parades.

The Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas, a fraternal organization that provides training and resources for people who work or volunteer as Santa Clauses, said the health of its roughly 700 members is a real concern.

"Yes, we should be given the needle," said Nicholas Trolli, the organization's president. "Many of our older members are being given it because they are in that high-risk status. But then there's the younger member that cannot get the shot. And they should get the shot, not so much as to protect the Santa but to help protect the public."

Full story

Should Santa Claus be considered a priority for the H1N1 shot? Or should the the jolly fellow wait in line like the rest of us?

We want to know.