usvi-on-line
H1N1 available to adults now
H1N1 available to adults now
Just in case you didn't know- at least in Charlotte.
I took my daughter in to get one (she missed the school vaccination) and they offered it to me also.
So I got it. It burned more than the regular flu shot, but no sore arm this am (which is usually very sore after the seasonal flu shot).
So anyways, I was not aware adults could get it, but it looks like it is becoming more available!
I took my daughter in to get one (she missed the school vaccination) and they offered it to me also.
So I got it. It burned more than the regular flu shot, but no sore arm this am (which is usually very sore after the seasonal flu shot).
So anyways, I was not aware adults could get it, but it looks like it is becoming more available!
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Availability still seems dependent upon location.
In Gainesville, free shots and mist have just become available at the county health department and are reccommended for the at risk groups.
Those groups include pregnant women; persons who live with or provide care for infants aged less than 6 months old, including parents, siblings, and day care providers; health care and emergency medical services personnel; persons age 6 months to 24 years; and persons 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
My husband works in a health care facility where the free vaccine was availible to all workers - no age or risk restrictions - last week. He got the shot and saw no differences from getting the seasonal flu vaccine.
The flu will still be around....
In Gainesville, free shots and mist have just become available at the county health department and are reccommended for the at risk groups.
Those groups include pregnant women; persons who live with or provide care for infants aged less than 6 months old, including parents, siblings, and day care providers; health care and emergency medical services personnel; persons age 6 months to 24 years; and persons 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
My husband works in a health care facility where the free vaccine was availible to all workers - no age or risk restrictions - last week. He got the shot and saw no differences from getting the seasonal flu vaccine.
The flu will still be around....
... no longer a stranger to paradise
Yes, I was shocked that it was offered to me, I didn't even ask for it, I thought there was no way. Our Minute Clinic type places are all out, I had been trying forever to get it for my daughter.
It could just be the practice I am at. They had absolutely no plan. I tried to get my my other (asthmatic) daughter vaccinated early. This is a practice in a very large hospital group and there was no consideration for risk factors, no waiting list for at risk kids-which I think should have happened.
She ended up with a mild case (it was not lab confirmed though, so she is going to get a shot at school just in case it was something else).
Then it suddenly becomes available in the last 2 weeks and they are giving it out like candy
It could just be the practice I am at. They had absolutely no plan. I tried to get my my other (asthmatic) daughter vaccinated early. This is a practice in a very large hospital group and there was no consideration for risk factors, no waiting list for at risk kids-which I think should have happened.
She ended up with a mild case (it was not lab confirmed though, so she is going to get a shot at school just in case it was something else).
Then it suddenly becomes available in the last 2 weeks and they are giving it out like candy
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
SHAME on them!It is strange how available it is at some places and not in others.
At our drs, I was told over the phone, in no uncertain terms, that my son could not get the vac because he wasn't in a risk group and was under 5 yr old.
Then I went to the office for a different reason, spoke to a nurse who said "no problem, bring him in this afternoon."
Then when I took him in, I asked if they were doing adults yet and I got a shot on the spot with no questions asked.
This was 3 or so weeks ago.
Yet I hear about shortages all over the country.
(I work with several people that have severely compromised immune systems so I thought the responsible thing for me to do was to protect all of us as much as possible. I was prepared to explain this but they didn't ask.)
At our drs, I was told over the phone, in no uncertain terms, that my son could not get the vac because he wasn't in a risk group and was under 5 yr old.
Then I went to the office for a different reason, spoke to a nurse who said "no problem, bring him in this afternoon."
Then when I took him in, I asked if they were doing adults yet and I got a shot on the spot with no questions asked.
This was 3 or so weeks ago.
Yet I hear about shortages all over the country.
(I work with several people that have severely compromised immune systems so I thought the responsible thing for me to do was to protect all of us as much as possible. I was prepared to explain this but they didn't ask.)
I think the real lesson here is that every state and county are handling this differently and depending on where you live and how prepared your local government and health department are makes big difference. The key ultimately lies in communication.
Where I live, in Fairfax County, they have been doing an AMAZING job. They are even on Facebook and provide updates constantly about availability, how long lines are and links to more info: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/
Ultimately if you are a woman of childbearing age they are going to give it to you since there's a possibility that you could be pregnant. They don;t ask for proof of pregnancy. Nor will they.
Most clinics are not asking for verification of need or a note from your doctor (they really don't have time for that). But they will ask you questions and I'm sure people are not always truthful about their status.
Ultimately if you are intent on getting a shot, no matter what your status, there is nothing really preventing you from doing so. You just may have to lie. I'm NOT advocating that you do that but if you're THAT concerned about your health status just check the box that says you have asthma or say you're pregnant (if you're a woman) and they are going to give you the shot.
AGAIN-- I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT YOU DO THIS. SERIOUSLY I'M NOT. But like most things in this world if there's a will there's a way.
At this point -- at least in our area -- target groups have had AMPLE opportunity through County clinics to get the shot if they want it.
The dirty little secret is that many Drs have actually received vaccine but aren't publicizing it because they don't want to be overwhelmed. (Or in some cases saved doses for family members -- I'm not judging mind you, I'm just saying).
So they are letting local governments handle the load. In our case, we're fortunate enough to live in a county that has been preparing and drilling pandemic flu scenarios for the past five years both from a logistical/health standpoint and a communication standpoint. They are utilizing every tool from traditional media to social media to keep people informed and educated.
If you are not satisfied with how your local health departments are handling things, I would urge you to contact your local elected official or state elected officials and tell them your concerns. They are the ones who can get things moving if it's possible or if there's some logjam.
Ultimately folks need to seek out information, be patient and then act when the opportunity arises.
I think a lot of folks are getting complacent now that the cases are not as high as some expected (although every life lost is a tragedy for that family). OF course we really haven't hit flu season full force yet and the next few months may change things drastically.
We'll see.
Stay healthy out there!
Where I live, in Fairfax County, they have been doing an AMAZING job. They are even on Facebook and provide updates constantly about availability, how long lines are and links to more info: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/
Ultimately if you are a woman of childbearing age they are going to give it to you since there's a possibility that you could be pregnant. They don;t ask for proof of pregnancy. Nor will they.
Most clinics are not asking for verification of need or a note from your doctor (they really don't have time for that). But they will ask you questions and I'm sure people are not always truthful about their status.
Ultimately if you are intent on getting a shot, no matter what your status, there is nothing really preventing you from doing so. You just may have to lie. I'm NOT advocating that you do that but if you're THAT concerned about your health status just check the box that says you have asthma or say you're pregnant (if you're a woman) and they are going to give you the shot.
AGAIN-- I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT YOU DO THIS. SERIOUSLY I'M NOT. But like most things in this world if there's a will there's a way.
At this point -- at least in our area -- target groups have had AMPLE opportunity through County clinics to get the shot if they want it.
The dirty little secret is that many Drs have actually received vaccine but aren't publicizing it because they don't want to be overwhelmed. (Or in some cases saved doses for family members -- I'm not judging mind you, I'm just saying).
So they are letting local governments handle the load. In our case, we're fortunate enough to live in a county that has been preparing and drilling pandemic flu scenarios for the past five years both from a logistical/health standpoint and a communication standpoint. They are utilizing every tool from traditional media to social media to keep people informed and educated.
If you are not satisfied with how your local health departments are handling things, I would urge you to contact your local elected official or state elected officials and tell them your concerns. They are the ones who can get things moving if it's possible or if there's some logjam.
Ultimately folks need to seek out information, be patient and then act when the opportunity arises.
I think a lot of folks are getting complacent now that the cases are not as high as some expected (although every life lost is a tragedy for that family). OF course we really haven't hit flu season full force yet and the next few months may change things drastically.
We'll see.
Stay healthy out there!
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Two words: Cytokine Storm.
When we see substantial evidence/data that says that this flu induces cytokine storm in its hosts, then I will begin to worry.
The devastation of the 1918 flu pandemic was due to this phenomenon...It is the reason so many young, healthy individuals with strong immune systems were killed by the flu of 1918...The strength of their immune systems actually worked to their detriment. There is no evidence, yet, that this flu causes this relatively rare hyper-immune response.
When we see substantial evidence/data that says that this flu induces cytokine storm in its hosts, then I will begin to worry.
The devastation of the 1918 flu pandemic was due to this phenomenon...It is the reason so many young, healthy individuals with strong immune systems were killed by the flu of 1918...The strength of their immune systems actually worked to their detriment. There is no evidence, yet, that this flu causes this relatively rare hyper-immune response.
July 2003 - Honeymoon at The Westin
July 2004 - Glenmar, Gifft Hill
July 2005 - Arco Iris, Fish Bay
December 2007 - Dreamcatcher, GCB
July 2008 - Ellison Villa, VGE
July 2004 - Glenmar, Gifft Hill
July 2005 - Arco Iris, Fish Bay
December 2007 - Dreamcatcher, GCB
July 2008 - Ellison Villa, VGE