Anyway, we always get a flu shots. So, I have known for quite a while that I wanted our family to get the H1N1 vaccine. Jackson has asthma and Grant is too young for the vaccine so I was HIGHLY encouraged by my OB to get everyone vaccinated. The problem? I can only conclude that it is the Michigan government or the doctors here. Apparently, most of the doctors in the area did not order the vaccine. My pediatrician said that she wasn't all that worried and that her patients would have to find another place to get it if they wanted it. My OB's office is still waiting for vaccines that they did order. There is, apparently, a shortage. However, the local health departments seem to have an unlimited supply of the stuff.
A couple of weeks ago, Barrington decided to go in late to work to stand in line with me and the three kiddos. We pulled up to the place 30 minutes before the clinic started. The rain was POURING. We parked in the grass and, after bundling everyone up, we made our way to the line. After a quick investigation, we decided that we were not going to stay in a line of which we couldn't even see the end. It was crazy. So I figured that we just wouldn't get vaccinated. But, over the next week the thought kept nagging at me that we needed to get the shots. (Call it the Spirit or call it my hyper health anxiety, either way I was going to listen.)
So, Thursday, Barrington came home early and we took Jackson out of school. This location was at the Palace. This is the stadium where the Pistons play. It is large. It is the home of a NBA team. They decided to move it there so that people could stand in line indoors instead of outside. This is what we found:
Yes, there was a line outside. This was because the line was too long inside. It went around the entire arena and then flowed outside. Is it just me or is this out of control? The woman in front of me had twin 2 month old babies that she and her husband held the entire 4 HOUR wait. The older people in wheelchairs waited without a word of complaint. The children were amazingly patient, even my own. I have to say that I didn't come across one person who had a nasty attitude. The workers and the people waiting in line were nice and helpful. The Salvation Army was there giving out free hot chocolate and water. And the time really didn't seem as long as it was. I was shocked that we were there for so long when we got into the car and saw the time.
What I don't understand is that I have heard of people in other states having no problems getting the vaccine from their doctors offices. My father's doctor in Maryland called him and asked him if he would like to come in and get a shot. THEY CALLED HIM!!! And yet week after week there are thousands of people here waiting in line for shots. And to think, we get to do it all again in 28 days because the boys need two shots to be fully protected.
Have you been vaccinated? If so, what was your experience like?
18 comments:
We had it offered (free) at Ben's school but he has already had the flu (most likely swine, according to the doctor who didn't have it tested) SO I opted out since the side effects were along the same lines as the disease. My pediatrician has it in as well. I am confused because Tom, who also has asthma was not tested for swine flu although he was positive for flu.We all had the flu even the baby over a month ago.
I'm just glad that my kids have also all had the flu (According to the drs all H1N1 but none specifically tested for that, but positive for flu A which out here has only been the h1n1), so I'm glad I didn't have to really make a decision (I was really torn). Although, we had decided against this one. We've gotten the regular flu shot for years, (& my boys had this year), but we just though it was too many in a short amount of time. And the flu for us at least, gratefully, was very mild. I can't believe the lines for this though. You would have thought they'd been more prepared. I'm so sorry.
I'm not sure if our pediatrition has the H1N1 vaccine, but I only hear about long lines everywhere to get it, so I'm assuming not. I know Alison tried to wait in line at a health dept office and after a few hours with her 3 kids, she left without much hope of getting in. I intended to get the regular flu shot for myself at my doctor's office, but they were out. Two weeks later, I end up back in the office getting tested for the flu! We all had some form of the flu (not sure if it was H1N1 or not), so I'm wondering if it's even worth getting either shot now. It's a big mess, this whole flu shot deal this year. Good luck when you go back for round two.
We have not. I usually get my flu shot from school but they didn't end up coming. I am with you about the vaccines. I sure wish I would of done something differently when Mason was born instead of trusting our government and health care because they tell us this is what we have to do!
Both of my children have received seasonal and H1N1 and it wasn't a big deal...just a lot of phone calls to the ped to make sure it was in.
our doctor does high risk only right now, and she charges our 30 dollar copay for each and every shot. (30 x 7 = I'll go somewhere else!) The other flu clinics in our area had to cancel because they couldn't get any. Waves of kids around us have not been vaccinated and actually have had h1n1. They treat it with a dose of antibiotics and follow up. Our schools have been very strict with sick kids. any fever at all, stay home for 48 hours. It is tough because those who need it the most (pregnant women and young children) are the ones with the most difficulty standing in these crazy long lines. I don't know when we can expect to see it, but I know I have all but given up.
According to the CDC and the state of Maryland, anyone presenting with flu like symptoms now are considered to have H1N1, and in most cases, are not being tested for that because that is the strain that is present now. In some cases, patients who are being admitted to the hospital may be tested for H1N1. Most hospitals in the area are not allowing children until 18 to visit patients, and limiting the number of visitors to a patient as well. Seasonal flu has not reared its ugly head yet. The flu is a virus, and unless you have complications from the flu, there is really nothing that can be done other than rest, plenty of fluids, etc. In some cases, an anti-viral can be prescribed (Tamiflu) but it is also in short supply.
My burning question is - did you get the vaccine?
I seriously can not believe that picture of all those people waiting!! That's crazy. I stagger my kids shots too, even though I'm always told it's not necessary. I just tell them "you may be the doctor, but I'm the mom."
I wished we would have gotten the vaccine because both myself (at 31 weeks pregnant) and my 19 month old got the swine flu. And it was HELL. I have never been that sick in my life, and have never seen my kids that sick. It was awful, awful. My hubby got the vaccine early on and works at a health clinic and diagnoses people with H1N1 every day and hasn't been sick at all. Anyway, I wish we would have gotten the vaccine!
We did not get it and do not plan to. We normally do not get the seasonal flu shot either, however, due to the child in J's class who has CF, he got the flu shot last year. Hubby had to get the regular flu shot through the military reserves this year. Swine flu has been diagnosed in children at both their schools.
Well Helen and I got the flu shot both the reg and h1n1. It was no big deal I was in for a physical and he said have you had a flu shot yet I said no and he gave it to me. Then Helen said go on a certain day a few weeks ago and get my hini so I did. I think your drs. should have ordered the vacine so they had it for their patients if they wanted to get it. That way you wouldn't have to stand in line. Sorry that you have had such a hard time and yes children need two shots but adults one. I don't know why>
All I can say is I love you but you are crazy. I'm still recovering from the swine flu and its been miserable but I gotta say I still wouldn't wait in that line! I got influenza when Ashton was 2 weeks old. He was fine even at that age... I think the whole thing is totally out of control.
I heard one of the "walk in clinics" had the vaccine. So I drove myself there (first time I drove since surgery) and got the shot. Already had the regular flu shot. The word must have gotten out as there were lots of people coming in. I was the first one there after they opened. Whew! I had not heard of any other places around here with the vaccine. I am in the group of people that need it due to immune affected people due to celiac plus with this most recent surgery I sure don't want to start coughing. Ouch! I was so grateful to get it. Plus it only cost $10 to anyone without insurance coverage.
Why does Sues post say Roger?
The girls and I got our flu shots last month. The girls were out of school for two days because of H1N1. A first grader at Annalise's school died of H1N1 a couple of days before and everyone was freaking out. We were fortunate that our wait was only about an hour long. That was because I went over to the Kaiser office in the next city. The Kaiser office in our city had an over 3 hour wait to get the shots and they ran out before everyone was served. The day was nice so the wait was pleasant. Everything went well until we were ready for shots. I had to hold Robyn down because she did NOT want a shot. But then, she acts this way every time we go in for shots.
They only opened the shots up to children over 6 months in the last couple of weeks. In Utah County the new procedure is to stand in line on Monday to get a ticket for up to 6 family members for either Thursday or Saturday. Theoretically it eliminates a lot of standing in line, plus you are guaranteed to get the shot at the time indicated on the ticket. I'm planning on getting our tickets tomorrow, although I normally skip the regular flu shot. We're all healthy and what can I say, I'm a gambler. :) This one looks so miserable that it's worth the effort to get the shot. (It's worth my amount of effort. I don't think it'd be worth YOUR amount of effort!)
That is crazy! I can't believe the alarmist behavior the swine flu has brought on. We haven't gotten the shots and don't plan to. Mike had to get regular flu mist since he's in the military. I would get the girls immunized except that timing is just never right, and we're so busy as it is.
I share your skepticism about the number of vaccinations that the medical community recommends that all children get. I think it is very wise of you to limit the number of shots that your children get at a time and to fully look into it. I am still torn about whether or not to have my kids get the vaccine or to get it myself. The school that I work at and that Shayne goes to is offering the shot on Friday to all students and employees of the school. I think I might do a whole post on that because blurring the line between education and healthcare is another scary proposition. Then, if I choose to get it and to have Shayne get it, I would have to find another way for Maya to get it...They have had cases at our school and Maya's school for weeks, and I certainly don't want to get the flu...I'm just not sure I want the vaccinations either...
No, we're 90% sure we all had it the first week of Oct. But since it's not 100% that we got it, I was considering the shot if only for passing on some sort of immunity to my unborn babe. But I didn't feel like standing in line to get it with 1,000 other people or what not. So unless my ped gets it in within the next few weeks, we'll prob forgo and hope that we all really did have it.
The funny thing is the regular seasonal flu shot (preservative free/minimal version) was short. that's the one that I was going to have us all get but that's not an option for the time being.
Post a Comment