FOUR HOURS I waited for my flu shot today

[Bluebear]

Disgraceful. Many people in line said "Bush is so worried about Iraq, what about us.....isn't this homeland security, keeping us healthy?....time for a change!" Talking politics passed the time at least.

[fob]

1. Please report to nearest DHS office for deprogramming. "Waiting"

for limited health services is a function of "socialized mdicine" not our HMO/Insurance company run "free market" system.

/sarcasm

[Aunt Anti-bush]

2. Be glad you got one.

I'm not able to. I don't fall into any of the categories although I get deathly ill every winter without one. Oh boy, I'm loading up on vitamin C, zinc and echinecea.

[wildeyed]

14. I read that elderberry extract is helpful for fighting flu infection.

You can take it after you get sick, or some people take it all season to help fight of the bug.

[wildeyed]

3. How did you even get one?

I could only get an appointment for my youngest child. He is under two and therefor considered high risk. Couldn't get one for my four year old unless I lied and said she had asthma or something. Even the nurses at the doctor's office aren't getting them this year.

Wanna get really scared? Read up on avian flu pandemics. The NYT did an article yesterday or the day before.

[MsUnderstood]

4. I work for a company who has direct patient contact

we have about 500 employees, and about 80% of those employees work in emergency situations and in direct public contact.

We have 70 flu shots to go around. . .

[Bluebear]

8. It was at the local supermarket....

They had 250 available, I was #250, they turned away hundreds. HUNDREDS. The next clinic is tomorrow and that supermarket said they have had over 700 calls today to register, finally had to say first come first served.

[wildeyed]

16. They cancelled all the clinics in my city.

Maybe your state has enough to cover all the high risk folks already.

[robbedvoter]

5. My in-laws can't find one - and they are in the emergency category

A shame!@

[DrWeird]

6. I wonder if its got to do with healthy adults demanding shots.

nt

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluebear]

9. OK sorry, I'll be sure not to mention it again

PS I don't care about waiting the four hours, I was highlighting how how out of control this situation is while Bush parties in Arizona.

[Shopaholic]

11. I'm in a high-risk category and I can't find anyone who has the shots-

anywhere. I'm on a immune-supressent drug and I basically have no immunity. I can't take the flu mist (live) vaccine because it's a live virus. And the health department doesn't have any shots and neither do my general physician or my specialist. There just aren't any shots to be had in our entire region of the state.

[Bluebear]

18. Where is home for you mirage?

I wonder if the shortages are regional at this point?

[Shopaholic]

20. South Carolina

They're still having flu shot clinics at the Beach (Myrtle) but none here in our area. There's one at a drug store this week but we called about it today and they said they've only got 150 shots and there's already a list that's like 300 people long. My Dad called the VA clinic today (he's a veteran) and they don't have any and said that they aren't going to get any either.

[Bluebear]

22. All the best to you...

It can hit anyone on the 'danger' list like a ton of bricks. Maybe you should take an early drive down to Myrtle and hit a shot clinic this week?

[Shopaholic]

35. I'm going to keep calling around until I find someone who's got the

vaccine in. I'm hoping against hope that the health department will finally get some more. The CDC claims that they are making priority lists but all the priority lists in the world don't do any good if there's not enough vaccine to go around.

[Jade Fox]

10. I lucked out...

I happened upon a store in the neighborhood giving them out last weekend,
and although I had to return later in the day, the wait was only 15 min.

My co-worker is desparate to get one for her 85 year old mother.

[stinkeefresh]

12. I don't want to be the jerk here...

but I've never had a seasonal flu shot in my life, neither has my wife or any of my family (no kids).

Why would you wait four hours for a shot that most of the country doesn't get and doesn't need?

Are you particularly suceptible? (and if so, I apologize).

[Bluebear]

15. Because I fall into a high risk category & have a public contact job

[wishlist]

13. My mom-in-law in her 80's called to say no shots at her retirement home

I was shocked to hear from my mother-in-law today that her retirement home (the best in our area) will not be able to get any flu shots so the residents will all have to fend for themselves! These are people in their 80's and 90's in assisted living who all use walkers or wheelchairs! So she wants us to check around to find out where we can take her for a flu shot.

Appalling since I had thought that at least the nursing homes where so many fragile elderly people are congregated together and the flu can easily spread would have the shots.

[oneighty]

17. I have a devious plan

Jeb Bush said one time concerning a school plan in Florida.

Perhaps this is a devious plan to "Cull" the drags on society, of which I am one.

Sure would help to SAVE SOCIAL SECURITY and MEDICARE.

180

[wishlist]

19. Speaking of devious, these nursing home residents are mostly Dems too

We are upset now that the flu shortage has hit home, but we joked about it last week when my husband said that maybe only Bush supporters would be allowed to get the shots, like attending his rallies

[oneighty]

24. With this bunch

anything is possible.

180

[spanone]

21. You can thank the bush* food and drug administration

Where the fuck were they when the California company operating in England was making bad juju? We get our entire supply of flu vaccines from TWO COMPANIES. Turns out, it ain't profitable.

[Bluebear]

23. Profits before people, you know.

It's the GOP way!

[scornful]

25. That chaps my ass...

I really hope you are over 65 AND have respiratory problems. I also work in a field that is at high risk. But, as a nurse in a nursing home, I refuse to be so selfish that I would choose to avoid the possibility of a few weeks of being ill versus letting someone at risk of dying from the flu be denied their shot! We are unavoidably facing a 50% shortage of flu shots this year. Every person who receives a shot that is not at risk for DEATH from the flu is most probably denying someone a life saving vaccine.

[Bluebear]

26. How the hell do you know what my health status is

and calling me selfish?

P.S. Miss 8 post Nurse at a nursing home, did you know that you are on the advisory list to be vaccinated so you don't pass it along to your patients?

'People advised to get the vaccine include those older than 65 years of age, people with chronic diseases, residents of nursing homes, health-care workers, pregnant women and infants between the ages of six and 23 months.'

http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/10/12/flu.vac.cnn/index.html

[scornful]

27. You need to step the fuck back!

I didn't call you selfish, I said that I refuse to be selfish enough to take the shot away from someone whose life is at stake! My statement was that I hoped you were someone TRULY at risk. I am also aware of infection control procedures that require I not attend work when ill. Perhaps your angry response is indicative of your guilty conscience. That's your call not mine.

Regarding my 8 posts: I frequently browse du to keep up on current events but, I seldom become enraged enough to respond to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who speaks their mind.

[Bridget Burke]

28. As someone who works in direct patient care....

You need to get the shot. Have all the patients at your institution gotten the vaccine?

[ezekiel333]

33. And those shots are availble where.....

What if they do not have access? Oh, but we we all live in the land of perfect union, peace, love, and understanding. Everyone cares about each other and the flu shots wil be distributed equally, with liberty and justice for all. Some will not take them to help seniors and health care workers. Others will forego them for the good of all citizens. And what happens when the SUV/soccer/security/ mom rolls up with her brood of young W's, "shots for all", god save the repuklicans. Bullshit.

[Bluebear]

31. Well you know what you can do??????

Nothing. Sorry if I misread your post. I have had a few people barrage me with why I had to get a flu shot and how they can't get their's. I apologize if you weren't calling me selfish and needy. This is not my fault nor yours. Bush, after all, said tonight that the real problem of this situation is lawyers who are suing the poor vaccine companies and they are afraid to produce it. :shrug:

[scornful]

36. It wasn't about dogging you...

The real issue is, I can't get these much needed, life saving shots for my patients, two of which are 92 yr old females, due to the pharmacy's inability to get them to us. I don't appreciate the posts from you and others implying I am putting my beloved patients at risk by not taking a shot that has NOT been offered to me. I make sure I get plenty of rest, take my vitamins, eat right, exercise, and practice universal precautions. If at any time I suspected I was ill, I would not risk reporting to work and infecting these elderly people who have been entrusted to my care.

BTW: I also watched tonight's debate and I recall a reference to not allowing contaminated drugs in the country, but what has that got to do with lawyers? I'm really sick of all the freepers' attacks on attorneys. I work in an environment daily, in a state without "caps” that could always leave me open for suit if I didn't do my job properly.

I will NEVER fight against someone's right to seek legal justice when mistreated by a healthcare provider or organization or any other system.

[Bluebear]

37. After all that, welcome to DU

I didn't mean to imply you are putting your patients at risk, however your job description is covered under the CDC recommendations. No one should question if you chose to be immunized. I met a young man in line tonight, he had a KERRY/EDWARDS T-shirt on and I complimented him and his mother on it. He lamented he couldn't vote, he was about 16. He has terrible asthma problems and they drove 50 miles to this clinic. Bush said tonight he's "working with Canada", which confused me. Is he working with them to buy some vaccine from them? And if so, I thought he said Canadian drugs could kill us!

[scornful]

42. I believe you said....

"did you know that you are on the advisory list to be vaccinated so you don't pass it along to your patients?"

So, that wasn't an implication? I took it as an implication that either I was uninformed or unconcerned.

My question is "Do we have enough shots in the states to cover everyone who comes under CDC recommendations, when current recommendations are not to voluntarily not obtain a shot unless absolutely necessary. I'm young, healthy, and have never had any form of the flu. If you do your homework you'll discover the shot is only designed to give protection to a handful of the numerous viruses that can cause "flu like" symptoms. Researchers PREDICT which chains of the virus will be the most threatening and then PREDICT how those viruses will mutate during the next year. Based on these PREDICTIONS they determine what will protect us from these chosen chains. Although these are very educated guesses, they are guesses none the less.

I despise Bush and his entire administration for what they have done to our country, but, if he is willing to "flip flop" in order to obtain shots to provide protection, even if only slight hypothetical protection, to our senior citizens, then so be it. He is only saying it to secure the vote of the older fundamentalists. That isn't helping my patients today.

[Bluebear]

44. Well, best of luck to you and your patients as well

I tried to clear the air, sorry you got upset with my topic and posts here and all the best for the future.

[ezekiel333]

29. Well Mr. ? Big Post

What is your status? And what makes you needy enough to deprive a senior of their shot for the good of your work position?

And before you go off on the spreading of disease by work profession, be advised that some of us here have a degree in biology and are WELL aware of the "Governments" caution regarding the distribution of shots.

Glad you got YOUR shot. To bad my mother is still searching for hers.

[Bluebear]

30. What is it your business what my health status is?

I never thought that posting about the outrageous situation in which we find ourselves would become a debate about what caused me to get a flu shot. To be frank with you, I am an ethical person and am very sorry your mother can't get a vaccination, but I am not going to post my health history online for all to see. Ask Ashcroft, maybe he can do a Patriot Act search on me.

[ezekiel333]

40. Just wonder ing...

Dear "Plastic",

No, You don't need to post your history. But if you want to call out Ms. 8 post nurse or question my mother getting a shot, perhaps you should give us a few details or at least a better reason for your opinions. But then given todays rules I guess all you need is to proclaim a situation and then defend it, like Bush. Seems to be the "rule" of the day is, Oh, look at me, this happened, and now I am "fill in the blank". What is the REAL situation your in and do not waste my time with your "poor me" attitude, what makes YOU a priority for a flu shot over others?

We are under attack boys and girls, on all sides, the flu situation is just one minor aspect, one that is not going to cost the lives of a thousand ninteen year olds or the loss of thousands of Iraqi children. If all you have to whine about is this take it elsewhere. There are options to to the flu shot, seek them, and then move forward to other issues. What other Issues? The issues are numerous, wake up and look around. And if you cannot find them then you are destined to join those who expired before you.

As for ASHCROFT, FUCK him, and all who allowed it to happen!

BTW, How did your senator vote on the patriot act and what did YOU personally do about it?


It's time to stand up.

[Bluebear]

41. I never questioned your mother's getting a shot.

You are quite exercised about a number of issues and rightfully so. As am I. But I resent your questioning my priorities or my need to 'wake up' and look around. And what is important to me I will whine about, including this, the war, the plans to open maternity homes for pregnant women and a slew of other issues. That is why we come to DU, and it is certainly not to be grilled by our fellow board mates. Really, this conversation is far more than it needed to be, I wish you good luck and your mother good health and bid you adieu.

[ezekiel333]

45. Quite exercised...

Yes, rightfully so. As, "presumably" are you as well,

I will question your priorities as you questioned mine. You do need to "wake up" and "look around", the rules have changed over the last four years.

As for what is important, That IS why we come here, due recourse and response. Being "grilled" by someone here makes you question your argument, examine it, and it makes for a better logic when presented to the "masses". Unless of course your response is already pre ordainded.

Best of luck to you in your fight on the anonymous boards, as so and so vs. so and so.

We continue our battle in the full light of day and it doesn't take much for informed individuals to find out who we are. We aren't hiding under an online pseudonym. Our cause is real, not a by line on a message board.

Gunny C & The Florida Patriots

[Bridget Burke]

32. Since you've got a biology degree....

I'm surprised you haven't seen about getting a shot for your mother.

By the way--please supply us with the details of her physical condition.

[ezekiel333]

39. Here you go

Don't be surprised "Bridget", we already have.

My mothers condition: Chronic bronchitis, Former long term smoker, well over 65, divorced, on social security. But a gosh darn nice lady.

Yes, we have gotten her seen to, on numerous occasions, and we continue to do so.

Now, that I have supplied my situation, what is yours and how does it apply? Or are you, like so many others, just blowing smoke????

And your degree is in what??? or is that a moot point???

[kerry-is-my-prez]

34. This will p.o. all the seniors in FL.

n/t

[allalone]

38. rationing

bush said Kerry's med plan would lead to rationing. umm what the hell is this with the flu shots? I am considered at risk because of lung disease but guess what, my Drs office is all out already. Oops, too bad for me. Too bad I don't need viagra. They seem to have plenty of that. (I'm a woman)

[Cleita]

43. I'm in a whinning mood today. Since your threads get more

answers than mine on the same topic, please forgive me for adding my whine on the flu vaccine. Actually, people who need a vaccine the most like my husband probably won't get one. He is on dialysis and 78 years old, which makes him very frail to say the least. He has always gotten one from the dialysis clinic, but this year because of the shortage, they told us we would have to go to several places that were giving them out because they wouldn't be getting any. Now those new places involve standing in line. My husband uses a walker and can't stand more than ten minutes at a time. My healthy, fifty + neighbors, stood in line at CostCo for four hours and were able to get shots.

I don't know who engineered this mess. Why does anyone who is sick and frail have to stand in line to begin with? Why are clinics that survive mostly on government services like medicaid and medicare being denied access to vaccine for the most vulnerable population unless they stand in line? Why?

[Bluebear]

46. You're more then welcome to add your whine

I know, I KNOW I didn't phrase my opening paragraph right, it was more in passing but I was bemoaning this awful situation, not my having to wait. I read, I talked politics, no big whoop. Many many people brought lawn chairs, it looked more an outdoor concert than a supermarket. I have always gone to my local hospital for the shot, they have NONE this year, it's an absolute horror show. So people like your husband have to go to a supermarket instead of a health care facility. I don't know who was in charge of the clinic, some private firm. As I mentioned, tomorrow's clinic the next town over had over 700 phone inquiries today, it will be another zoo. I would have thought that the allocations would have gone to doctors, hospitals, inpatient care communities, lung associations, HIV clinics, maternity clinics (spread your love to the ob/gyns, Bush!)...but noooooooooo one has to go to Sam's Club or Piggly Wiggly.