prolesunited
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Fri Oct-28-05 12:54 PM
Original message |
Anyone else having trouble getting a flu shot? |
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My doctor had a batch early in October, but I couldn't get one because I had to get a cortisone shot that day for a bee sting above my eye. When I got back there the next week, they were gone.
They said they ordered from two different suppliers and the second batch is slow in coming in. Although they've made repeated calls, they can't get a delivery date. I have asthma, so I'm in a high-risk category and I'm supposed to take my dad, who's 82. But, we're still waiting. I guess we can start exploring the shot clinics offered by the pharmacies, but I don't think my insurance would cover that, although his Medicare will cover him.
I'm just wondering if it's just my doctor or others are having problems as well. I haven't seen any stories in the media about shortages again, just hoarding of Tamiflu.
So, what's your experience?
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lizziegrace
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Fri Oct-28-05 12:59 PM
Response to Original message |
1. I got one at the local grocery store |
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Kroger stores in this area have flu shot clinics. I'm also an asthmatic and wasn't able to find one last year. My doctor has no vaccine but the grocery stores do...
County health department maybe? You should be able to submit your receipt to the insurance company for reimbursement.
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KitchenWitch
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:01 PM
Response to Original message |
2. I got mine at the pharmacy |
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I am of the mind though, that the clinics should get them first, before the drug stores and grocers. My mom had a very difficult time getting one.
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LeftyMom
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:02 PM
Response to Original message |
3. Check costco, they've got 'em |
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Edited on Fri Oct-28-05 01:37 PM by LeftyMom
My health plan, Kaiser Permanente, has plenty. While I've got athsma and am considered high risk, I don't get flu shots because they're cultured in chicken eggs.
Edited for missing punctuation. -LM
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prolesunited
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:09 PM
Response to Reply #3 |
5. I guess I'm not that adamant about vegetarianism |
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if I think it would put my health at risk. I got an upper respiratory infection last December that knocked me on my ass and I was alternating with Advair and Flovent four times a day. I can't imagine getting the flu.
What about a pneumonia shot?
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LeftyMom
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
9. I have really mild athsma |
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which interestingly enough became nearly a non-issue when I changed my diet. (I think my dairy allergy was a big trigger.) That said, my ideological commitments are important to me and if I had to take a big helath risk for them I probably would (I qualify that a bit because one can never be 100% certain until one faces that sort of choice.)
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CaliforniaPeggy
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:02 PM
Response to Original message |
4. I got one at my pharmacy..... |
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No waiting, no worries......
I paid $30.00 for it, but I'd rather pay than have to mess with an appt. at the Dr. office......
I got it several weeks ago......:shrug:
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prolesunited
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:10 PM
Response to Reply #4 |
6. I go to a small practice |
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and can get same-day appointments. For the shot, they are doing walk-ins, with the nurse giving it. No hassle.
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CaliforniaPeggy
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:13 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
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It's not that way at my doctor's office......
Lucky you......
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Bridget Burke
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:11 PM
Response to Original message |
7. There's apparently a distrubution problem... |
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Edited on Fri Oct-28-05 01:12 PM by Bridget Burke
Worse in some areas than in others. It appears that mass-vaccination sites (like grocery stores) got the vaccine before many health care providers. (This is from Duluth but I've seen similar reports from elsewhere.)
www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/13018894.htm
Reading further, the supply may also be a bit short:
Last year, contamination at a manufacturing facility of California-based Chiron Corp. rendered half the U.S. supply of flu vaccine unusable. The company had forecast delivery of 46 to 48 million vaccine doses this year, then cut production to 18 to 26 million doses.
I've heard it takes about 2 weeks after the shot to develop full immunity, so a simple delay can be a problem for some.
(I got my shot at work this AM. The high-risk people got theirs a few weeks ago.)
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prolesunited
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:33 PM
Response to Reply #7 |
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Edited on Fri Oct-28-05 01:38 PM by prolesunited
You would think that health care providers would be the first priority since they know who's at risk. This entire problem is being driven by profit motives. People's health should be put ahead of making a buck.
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KitchenWitch
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:34 PM
Response to Reply #10 |
11. Don't you mean peoples health SHOULD be put ahead of making a buck? |
prolesunited
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:39 PM
Response to Reply #11 |
12. Of course that's what I meant |
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I couldn't sleep last night, so my brain is a little fuzzy. Thanks. I fixed it.
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SOteric
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:42 PM
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13. Nope. I'm on the hotlist |
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Edited on Fri Oct-28-05 01:42 PM by SOteric
for people with immune difficiencies, so I got one a few weeks back. But they're selling them to anyone for around $20.00 at all the major supermarkets in the area. :shrug:
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KitchenWitch
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:43 PM
Response to Reply #13 |
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Wonder why there are so many different prices.
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prolesunited
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Fri Oct-28-05 01:47 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
15. Well, it will only cost me $10 |
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(my copay) if I get it done at the doctor's office. If I can't get in next week, I'll bite the bullet, but I'm already paying a ton of money to stay on COBRA. I want to get my money's worth.
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REP
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Fri Oct-28-05 02:14 PM
Response to Original message |
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I guess that's the upside to having a ravavged immune system - they save a shot for me. I'm also under doctor's orders to avoid babies and children (major resevoirs of antibiotic-resistant upper respiratory infections, e. coli, e. aerogenes and strep).
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Left Is Write
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Fri Oct-28-05 02:20 PM
Response to Original message |
17. We plan to get ours at my husband's place of business - |
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they are offering them for employees and spouses.
As far as I know, the kids will be able to get them at their pediatrician. My son is going in Monday, and I'll double check then.
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Beware the Beast Man
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Fri Oct-28-05 02:44 PM
Response to Original message |
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Since I'm in relatively good health (knock on wood), I guess I'm low-risk compared to some. I'm more concerned about my mother-in-law (who is 65) and grandmother-in-law (who's 94 and had double pneumonia a few years back).
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prolesunited
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Fri Oct-28-05 02:53 PM
Response to Reply #18 |
20. They should both get theirs |
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along with a pneumonia vaccine. That one is good for five years. Make sure they take care of that.
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StopTheMorans
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Fri Oct-28-05 02:45 PM
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19. no, the waiting list at the steakhouse that i frequent is too long, and i |
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Edited on Fri Oct-28-05 02:49 PM by StopTheMorans
don't want to be caught getting a flu shot when they call me; so i haven't even tried yet.
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puerco-bellies
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Fri Oct-28-05 02:56 PM
Response to Original message |
21. Their coming to my office... |
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Real ones too! Even though I work for a commodities brokerage firm the owners, and 70% of the brokers are democrats.
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Zuni
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Fri Oct-28-05 02:59 PM
Response to Original message |
22. I have been too busy hunting defenseless creatures |
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and making sausages out of their carcass meat :9
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