Swine flu shots for the taking!

[DMRick]

Guess the emergency rationing is over for our area in Upstate NY. Our family seems to be hitting the jackpot as far as swine flu shots. Both my hubby and I got the call from our doc, as well as my daughter for her children (same office). They told her if she brings them in she can get hers at the same time. I've decided to pass this year, so they can give mine to someone else.
My brother in law went in for his today (different doc), and asked after the fact, why he got two shots. The nurse told him one was the regular flu. Guess they didn't look at the records very well..he got that like the rest of us at the end of September.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Guess the emergency rationing is over for our area in Upstate NY. Our family seems to be hitting the jackpot as far as swine flu shots. Both my hubby and I got the call from our doc, as well as my daughter for her children (same office). They told her if she brings them in she can get hers at the same time. I've decided to pass this year, so they can give mine to someone else.
My brother in law went in for his today (different doc), and asked after the fact, why he got two shots. The nurse told him one was the regular flu. Guess they didn't look at the records very well..he got that like the rest of us at the end of September.

That nurse should be fired.

My kids got their h1n1 shots at a health clinic last week. They wouldn't give it to me or dh though since we aren't in the at risk groups.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

That nurse should be fired.

Seriously!

In RI, they're giving the swine flu shots to kids in school.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Not here in FL. Still only for kids 6 months-18 yrs, infant caretakers, pregnant women, and health care workers with direct patient contact. This is at the Health Dept, private offices, and stores that might have them. It's been this way for months now (since the day the shot was released). You would think they could open it to others at this point.

They just started to go to the schools before T"giving.

 

[ms1031]

Dallas County (Texas) has lifted all restrictions and will begin FREE vaccine clinics on Tuesday. They say the supplies are plentiful enough now to do so.

 

[C.Ann]

What a difference between counties here in upstate NY.. Doctors offices and health dept. are still on restricted protocol and DGD's school has been literally begging for a clinic since September.. The health dept. has set it up with them 3 times already - and 3 times they had to cancel because the vaccine wasn't available.. Luckily DGD was able to be classified as high priority because of me (and got it at her pediatricians office) - as were DD and her DH (who got it at their doctors office) - so they're all set..



I'm not too worried - knowing that everyone else in the house has been vaccinated.. Did all my Christmas shopping online - don't have any travel plans - won't go to the doctors office or the hospital for any kind of testing unless it's crucial - so I'm thinking I might be able to "skate by"..

I think this is God's way of telling me I'm just not supposed to get that vaccine for some reason.. I'm sure if He wants me to get it, I will - eventually..

 

[C.Ann]

Also forgot to mention that if you are a resident of Albany County in upstate NY they are holding two clinics - but the usual restrictions apply and you must show proof of residency.. DD's DH tried to get into one of those prior to getting his shot (he wasn't aware of the residency requirement) so of course he was told he didn't qualify..

If you reside in Albany County and fall within the restricted guidelines, go to the WRGB television web site and they should have the info listed there.. Good luck!

 

[DMRick]

Didn't your doctor have one ready for you, since you are high risk but you had to wait until your temp went away? Your age shouldn't matter, since you are high risk. My doc is in Albany Cty, but I'm not, but was offered it anyway. The doc's seem to have a supply now in this area from people I have talked to. My sis and her hubby are in Saratoga, but came to the city for their vacc's.

All of my grands have been vacc'd..their schools had clinics (not in our city..but about an hour away each) and their doc's have offered them. All of the adults I know that have felt a need to get the vacc have gotten or been offered it. The supply seems to be up right now. If you haven't checked lately to see if your doc has them, this might be a good time.

The clinic for our city school district is Dec 5th (they have the vaccine in hand)..S/G's is Dec 16th. I can't imagine what is taking your grand's school so long to get their vaccine's. Good thing she already got one.

 

[C.Ann]

Didn't your doctor have one ready for you, since you are high risk but you had to wait until your temp went away? Your age shouldn't matter, since you are high risk.

Between the time I was supposed to get it and the time my temp went away, the restrictions changed - based on age - and just how "high" risk the patients status was.. The office only had 50 vaccinations left right after DD's DH got his - could get no info on when they would receive more - and had already booked them for their extremely high risk patients.. Since I'm not as extremely high risk as some patients are, obviously my status dropped.. (My doctor is in a very, very large practice now - not small like the other one was..)

My sis and her hubby are in Saratoga, but came to the city for their vacc's.
I'm not the least bit surprised they had to leave Saratoga County in order to get their vaccinations.. Did they go to a doctor?

If you haven't checked lately to see if your doc has them, this might be a good time.

I call every single day - but at this point it's just not a top priority for me anymore.. The family is covered and that was my main concern.. As I have stated in my previous posts, if I'm "meant" to have it, I'll get it.. If not, there's a reason for everything that happens in life..

I can't imagine what is taking your grand's school so long to get their vaccine's. Good thing she already got one.

As I previously posted, they have set up the clinics 3 times - 3 times the health department has not been able to provide the vaccine.. Not all counties are receiving abundant supplies - especially in upstate NY.. Two other counties up near the lake have had to cancel clinics on more than one occasion as well - because the vaccines just aren't available.. There was one at a hospital - but that one had even more severe restrictions than what we're seeing right here..

So - while it's good that your family and the people you know have been able to get the vaccinations already, that is clearly not the case in all of upstate NY.. Similar to the fact that in other states you can get them in a drug store - while doctors offices and health departments have none - or very limited supplies.. When it comes to the availability of this vaccine, one can't use generalizations because the availability changes from city to city, town to town, county to county, state to state, school district to school district, doctors office to doctors office, and health department to health department..

It was good that you shared this news, but I just wanted to clarify that your statement of "emergency rationing being over" in your area doesn't apply to all areas of upstate NY..

 

[DMRick]

It was good that you shared this news, but I just wanted to clarify that your statement of "emergency rationing being over" in your area doesn't apply to all areas of upstate NY..

I guess that's why I said, 'I guess' for 'our area' (as in my family's). I'm speaking from what I know and have been offered. You have mentioned you had one available, went to the doc to get it, except you had a fever and couldn't get it. Your DD, SIL and GD all got one. So, while you may know people still wanting it, my original note stands as I see it from my part of Upstate (and my family's that are all in different counties in Upstate (Renns, Columbia, Saratoga). It looks like it is getting more plentiful. The schools in this county didn't annouce their clinic until they had the vaccine in hand. Looks like yours jumped the gun and scheduled and didn't have it.

Seems to be different all over the US..some have it, with no restictions, some don't. But here, in my area, I stand by what I said.. the "'I guess' the emergency rationing is over" (or on the way out). More and more clinics and more and more doc's are offering it. Your family has gotten it, you've been offered it, my family has gotten it or been offered it, so that's a good thing.

 

[C.Ann]

The schools in this county didn't annouce their clinic until they had the vaccine in hand. Looks like yours jumped the gun and scheduled and didn't have it.

No - it was promised and never arrived..

I'll type this out for you - from the sheet that DGD brought home from school yesterday.. It talks about the number of confirmed cases her district has had, what they are seeing in terms of the number of students absent, and then goes on to state:

"Follow-up On Availability of Vaccination Clinics: Our schools are ready to be used as vaccination clinic sites as soon as the ****** and ****** County Health Departments can get the vaccine.

The rate of availability doesn't get any clearer than that.. (And yes, one of those County Health Departments is yours..)

Seems to be different all over the US..some have it, with no restictions, some don't. But here, in my area, I stand by what I said.. the "'I guess' the emergency rationing is over" (or on the way out). More and more clinics and more and more doc's are offering it. Your family has gotten it, you've been offered it, my family has gotten it or been offered it, so that's a good thing.

As for the rest of your post - it's all politics - something we can't discuss here.. However, if you do a search and dig deep, you will see the numbers in regards to what areas of the country (and states) received the vaccines first; the dramatic swing in the number of doses provided (depending on the area); and the current numbers of vaccine doses that are being shipped - and where..

Hopefully this thread will help others in your specifc to your area to obtain this elusive vaccine.. Meanwhile millions of others will just have to wait it out..

As for me - I'm not going to worry about what I can't change.. I'm just going to concentrate on the holidays and having fun..

I've had enough "talk" about swine flu and these vaccinations to last me two lifetimes.. Unless something critical breaks in the news or there's inaccurate or misleading information posted on the DIS, I hope I never have to discuss it again..

 

[DMRick]

sigh..it is what it is, no matter what you post here. Politics or not, like I said, your family (including you) and mine have had it offered. Our city schools have it in hand, so obviously there is some in this area for those that need/want it. Nothing inaccurate or misleading here.

 

[C.Ann]

sigh...

Have a Merry Christmas.. That should be a "safe" topic..

 

[DMRick]

Yes - "it is what it is".. I don't write the school letters that come home with DGD - I only read them..

Yes, you have made it clear. YOUR school can't seem to get it. Our school in our county did. Maybe a lot of the kids were lucky like your GD and were able to get it through their own doctors. Maybe we have more cases in our county. One school/one letter, does not make an entire Upstate NY. Apparently a lot of upstate is getting it as needed. That's a good thing. I said what I have seen, posted where people are getting it, you've said your school can't get it. Your doc had it for you and your family..My family's doc has it for our family. I would think that would show it's opening up more. I don't understand what point you are trying to make. I was posting to say, hey, it's getting easier to get. Some agreed, some didn't. Let it go.

 

[DMRick]

Dallas County (Texas) has lifted all restrictions and will begin FREE vaccine clinics on Tuesday. They say the supplies are plentiful enough now to do so.

Good to hear. Hopefully all that want it will shortly be able to get it. We decided to pass, so hopefully our vaccine will go to someone that needs/wants it soon.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

DMRick those kittens are so cute!! Are they yours????


There seems to be plenty of H1N1 shots in our area too. I have 6 in our family, and all 6 of us have gotten it. Even I did, and I'm not in high risk.

 

[mousey]

There is a shortage of H1N1 shots all over NY plus in other states. My husband and I are both considered high risk due to our jobs and my husband actually got infected before a shot became available. He missed 1-1/2 wks of work and is still not feeling up to par. No doctors in our area are offering these shots. Clinics have been cancelled for school age children because none was available.

 

[DMRick]

DMRick those kittens are so cute!! Are they yours????


There seems to be plenty of H1N1 shots in our area too. I have 6 in our family, and all 6 of us have gotten it. Even I did, and I'm not in high risk.

They are fosters. We foster kittens full time. I have two little orange ones now found in a cookie tin with the lid on in the street.

 

[C.Ann]

There is a shortage of H1N1 shots all over NY plus in other states. My husband and I are both considered high risk due to our jobs and my husband actually got infected before a shot became available. He missed 1-1/2 wks of work and is still not feeling up to par. No doctors in our area are offering these shots. Clinics have been cancelled for school age children because none was available.

I also read that due to the severe shortages all over the country, they have opened a facility (in NC I think?) where they will be manufacturing more of this vaccine - but adding the adjuvents to it.. That vaccine will be available to everyone and anyone - with no restrictions whatsoever.. From what I have read about those adjuvents though I'm not so sure that's a shot I would be willing to get..

I hope you can find a shot sometime soon (before the adjuvents are added!)as they are saying they expect another huge wave of confirmed cases right after the holidays - when the kids go back to school..

Glad your DH recovered without any severe complications, but from what people are saying he may feel "dragged out" for a good, long time..

I guess the best thing we can do right now is to concentrate on the holidays - have fun - and enjoy every minute with our family and friends.. One of the things I'm really looking forward to is the annual evening drive to see all the houses decorated and lit up.. We'll wait awhile on that though because not everyone has their decorating done..

 

[DMRick]

I'm sure there is still some areas left wanting. However, I was commenting on how many have been successful in Upstate NY, and to me and mine, it seems more and more are able to be vaccinated when they want. A month ago there seemed to be none available. I actually know no one at this time that wants it, that hasn't been able to get it because of a shortage, more like C.Ann..they weren't healthy enough to get it or they don't want it. My doctor belongs to a large practice, about a dozen doctors. I have no idea why they are offering it to so many, but they aren't the only ones..I've talked to a lot of people who have been successful in getting the vaccine. Hope it comes to your area soon..although sorry it's too late for your husband and he had to suffer with the flu.

Do I rememer correctly, that you are in NYC, downstate NY? Maybe it's not as plentiful for you yet, as it seems to be here.

There is a shortage of H1N1 shots all over NY plus in other states. My husband and I are both considered high risk due to our jobs and my husband actually got infected before a shot became available. He missed 1-1/2 wks of work and is still not feeling up to par. No doctors in our area are offering these shots. Clinics have been cancelled for school age children because none was available.