Can you stand another flu shot vent??

[GeorgeG]

I just read that the US companies used to produce the flu vacine and offer it at cost or little profit. That was until a guy from NC got the flu after taking the vacine and filed a product liability suit. He got $5 million and the companies backed off. No good deed goes unpunished?

According to what I read, the lawyer representing this guy is now running for VP. I don't have anything to verify any of this, but my source usually checks these sort of things pretty thoroughly before passing them on.

 

[wld]

Michigan is one of 4 or 5 states that passed an order that if we give flu shots to anyone other than those on the updated at risk group we can be fined $200.00 and serve 6 months in jail.

Flu vaccine is being released at about 3 million doses a week to areas that have the highest risk. In our case we received our complete dose from Adventis because we ordered early and received it before Adventis stopped shipments. Those that ordered from Adventis and hadn't received shipments before the CDC stepped in will get half their order. Those that ordered from Chiron and those that didn't order will get the rest. Your local health department may well be the ones that get these doses.
Our first flu clinic which occured the week after the announcement of the shortage and the week before the order was passed was a zoo. We had twice as many people as usual. We had to save some back to finish vaccinating our employees which we will do tomorrow, giving vaccine only to those that meet high risk criteria. Staff must have hands on, prolonged face to face contact with patients or meet one of the other criteria. Our nurses need to be protected so that if we do have a high flu season, there is someone to take care of their patients.
It is very hard though, staff want to take their dose home to family members and doctors are instructing their patients to call us. (I work in a hospital) This accounted for our large amount the first time. I hate telling the high risk public I have no vaccine for them.
Please remember this flu season to wash your hands (alcohol based hand rubs kill 99.8% of bacteria on your hands), keep your hands away from your nose and mouth, cover your mouth when you cough and stay home from work if you are sick.
See cdc.gov for more suggestions and information as well as criteria. Inhome and out of home contacts with an infant under 6 months do qualify by the way.

 

[becka]

Originally posted by Beth76
I've never been concerned about the flu before (never had a shot either). This year I have a 3 month baby who can't be vaccinated, but is in the "high risk" category. I also have a 3yo who goes to preschool. I've had people tell me that my older son should be able to get the shot since he can give the flu to my younger son who can't get the shot. The nurse at my ped's office said NO. So, now I'm really worried about the flu.

She did tell me that the flu shot company will be sending out 4 million new doses in January and that my younger son can get the shot then, if their office gets any. But, that could be too late.

Your 3 y/o should qualify as well as the rest of your family. We have appointments at a flu shot clinic tomorrow to get our shots. DH is an asthmatic so he qualifies. I qualify because I am 6 months pregnant. I was not sure whether DS who is 2.5 would qualify but because I am due in January and the baby will be born during flu season DS will qualify because he will be living with an infant < 6 months old per CDC guidelines. You might call back your ped. office and ask them to look at the CDC guidelines. I also had concerns because DS goes to daycare and I really didn't want him brining home the flu to a newborn. Of course, a flu shot isn't going to prevent him from bringing home every other little thing.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I'm asking for my DBF since even he's not sure at this point

Would he be considered at high risk as a CNA(he works in a care home).I know his astham puts him in the group but I'm helping him out

 

[wld]

At our acute care hospital we are vaccinating our CNAs. He would also qualify if he is under a MD's care for his asthma/he regularly takes medication for it. Both are within the guidelines.

 

[disneyworld!]

I found this link...It shows where there is going to be clinic's I guess alot of people are crossing the boarder to
http://www.lungusa2.org/findaflushot/advanced.html

 

[Lars624]

Last Friday I was fortunate enough to find a local clinic that had a supply & was able to get a shot. I have bad asthma & my doctor (who got no vaccine in his office at all) really wanted me to get one. My parents (in their 70s) were able to get theirs the same day. We only waited in line for about 10 minutes.
I hope that all of you who need a shot are as lucky as we were & can find some place that has some in stock.

 

[delilah]

We preordered our flu shots soon after last years flu season. Our supply was supposed to have been shipped the week the shortage was announced, and our supplier has told us that we will be getting none of the doses we ordered. The hospital cancelled scheduled flu clinics and instead, distributed vaccine to our offices in proportion to the number of patients in our practice. To put the situation in perspective, our county received 2000 doses total, and we have about 30,000 residents in the county. Most people in our practice have been very accepting of the limitations that we have been given. I only had one patient vent in an unpleasant manner when he came for an appointment, for something else, and we didn't have any vaccine. He actually got a shot at his nursing home.

 

[dbal]

Last week my dh had minor surgery at an out-patient surgical center. There was a mix-up w/ his Dr. and we ended up waiting 3 hours (after he was prepped) before they took him in.

He was pretty out of it, but I overheard one of the nurses telling another one (very discreetly- so they thought) that they were getting 2 flu shots each. When the news broke, everyone in the office was running around like crazy. They all seemed to be giving them to parents, kids etc. Within that 3 hour period- 9 employees made arrangements with loved ones over the phone for appts.
That's what gets me angry. Since there is a definite shortage and definite guidelines as far as who gets a shot, It makes me wonder how many other healthcare facilities share in the same practice.

 

[Beth76]

Originally posted by becka
Your 3 y/o should qualify as well as the rest of your family. We have appointments at a flu shot clinic tomorrow to get our shots. DH is an asthmatic so he qualifies. I qualify because I am 6 months pregnant. I was not sure whether DS who is 2.5 would qualify but because I am due in January and the baby will be born during flu season DS will qualify because he will be living with an infant < 6 months old per CDC guidelines. You might call back your ped. office and ask them to look at the CDC guidelines. I also had concerns because DS goes to daycare and I really didn't want him brining home the flu to a newborn. Of course, a flu shot isn't going to prevent him from bringing home every other little thing.

Well, the nurse at my Ped's office was quite rude about it. She's actually known to be rude to everyone who calls and has a question. I might try calling back again and see if I can get a different nurse or speak directly with my doctor. Or maybe I'll try my general practicioner. I've had several people now tell me that we should qualify since we have the baby who can't be vaccinated. I explained it to the nurse and she didn't seem to care or think that it was important. Of course, she's that way about everything.

 

[Joanne M]

It is so important to wash your hands frequently, especially after any time you touch your face, blow your nose, cough, etc. I know people who "wash" their hands, but who don't use soap! In my book, that is rinsing, not washing, your hands.

Hand sanitizers claim to be antibacterial, and they are not effective against all bacteria. They are also not as effective against viruses, molds, and other pathogens. Influenza is a virus and may not be killed by hand sanitizers.

If nothing else is available, I would use a hand sanitizer. But I keep reading studies that validate the use of soap over alcohol-based cleaners. Good old soap and water is still one of our best preventive measures.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Originally posted by wld
At our acute care hospital we are vaccinating our CNAs. He would also qualify if he is under a MD's care for his asthma/he regularly takes medication for it. Both are within the guidelines.

Word passed to DBF and thanks

 

[Nancy]

Originally posted by Beth76
Well, the nurse at my Ped's office was quite rude about it. She's actually known to be rude to everyone who calls and has a question. I might try calling back again and see if I can get a different nurse or speak directly with my doctor. Or maybe I'll try my general practicioner. I've had several people now tell me that we should qualify since we have the baby who can't be vaccinated. I explained it to the nurse and she didn't seem to care or think that it was important. Of course, she's that way about everything.

Sounds like she shouldn't be a nurse then! Call your doctor or call back and get the baby's doctor on the phone. My kids never got shots and never got too sick from the flu, but I think the strains are different and stronger now then thye were even 10 years ago. Another thing I read is that the flu shots will not protect against all strains of flu..is this true?

 

[PolyConFan]

for god's sake, get over it.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by Nancy
I think the strains are different and stronger now then thye were even 10 years ago.

This is not true. Different strains of flu come around each year. Some are worse than others. But overall, the strains haven't gotten worse.

Another thing I read is that the flu shots will not protect against all strains of flu..is this true?

This is true. The flu shot is prepared months in advance of flu season based on predictions of which strains will be most prevalent. Sometimes they guess really well, sometimes not so well. Even in the best guess years, the shot can't prevent all strains so you could get a shot and still get the flu. However, most people who get vaccinated and still catch the flu tend to have a less serious case than those who weren't vaccinated.

One other thing important to mention because it is a huge myth. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get the flu from the flu shot. Many people avoid getting a flu shot for this reason but it is not true.

 

[Nancy]

Originally posted by disneysteve
This is not true. Different strains of flu come around each year. Some are worse than others. But overall, the strains haven't gotten worse.



This is true. The flu shot is prepared months in advance of flu season based on predictions of which strains will be most prevalent. Sometimes they guess really well, sometimes not so well. Even in the best guess years, the shot can't prevent all strains so you could get a shot and still get the flu. However, most people who get vaccinated and still catch the flu tend to have a less serious case than those who weren't vaccinated.

One other thing important to mention because it is a huge myth. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get the flu from the flu shot. Many people avoid getting a flu shot for this reason but it is not true.

Thanks for answering my questions and clearing that up. You read and hear so much information it's hard to remember everything, or know if the info is even correct.

 

[momof2inPA]

I got a flu shot today in Pittsburgh. The clinic was scheduled to open at 9am, but they opened early so people would not have to wait so long in line. At 9, I got my shot and was number 552. They had 3000 total to give out, then there are no more.

It was awfully sad to see the people on oxygen, with walkers, in wheel chairs, from group homes, and with obvious disabilities waiting in this long line. The Health Department did the best job possible, though. I don't know why shots were not distributed to the doctors of high risk patients in this area. My allergist and family care doctors have received zero shots to give out.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I had my 3-month diabetic check-up last week, and they gave me a flu shot. I wasn't sure I would qualify this year, but she said because of the diabetes I do. I sort of feel guilty for getting it, as I'm not insulin dependent and am otherwise pretty healthy. But, after my new grandbaby comes in January I won't worry so much about passing the flu onto him/her since I had my shot. I just hope DD and DSIL can get one tomorrow when they go for her monthly check-up.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Why am I not so worried about it? Is anyone else not worried? And I am VERY high risk, and my docs have all said to get one. I just am not worried. Perhaps I am naive? The flu has been around for years, I have great medical care, I've had it before, I wash my hands frequently and get into a doc as SOON as I think I'm ill due to my other health issues. But I'm just not worried.

I'll be honest - I think part of it is because I refuse to buy into the panic/frenzy that the media has created about the vaccine. They blow things out of proporation so badly, I just refused to be part of the masses that freaked out.

Okay, call me naive and irresponsible, please =)

 

[Nancy]

Originally posted by momof2inPA
I got a flu shot today in Pittsburgh. The clinic was scheduled to open at 9am, but they opened early so people would not have to wait so long in line. At 9, I got my shot and was number 552. They had 3000 total to give out, then there are no more.

It was awfully sad to see the people on oxygen, with walkers, in wheel chairs, from group homes, and with obvious disabilities waiting in this long line. The Health Department did the best job possible, though. I don't know why shots were not distributed to the doctors of high risk patients in this area. My allergist and family care doctors have received zero shots to give out.

I don't understand why people from group homes should be made to wait in a line...can't they get them to the doctors that care fro them during the year? Or couldn't the DOH make sure that a visiting nurses association goes to the home to give them their shots...not that anybody should have to wait in long lines, I just think that arrangements should be made for disabled people.