Campaign issue hits home: my 2-year old refused flu shot today

[npincus]

we had the appointment since Monday, but when we showed up at the pediatricians this morning, they apologized saying, "I'm sorry, we'll have to send you home". They said that as of THIS MORNING the federal government ordered that flu shots must NOT be given to children older than 23 months! Had we shown up yesterday, my daughter would have gotten it. I tired to work my charm on the doctor, but he said that if the government finds out, the fine is $40,000. Ouch.

I write about this here because I know how I felt at that moment: fury and disgust. I already hate this administration; I don't need further persuasion. But I can just imagine how the many parents whose children are being turned away will feel, who they will blame, and what it will mean for Nov. 2.



Note to parents of young kids:

I asked the doctor what ELSE I might do to protect my daughter from the flu and he suggested that I take (inhale) the Flu Mist. I asked him how that can help her and he said that direct exposure during the 7 days following my taking the Flu Mist will also give her immunity- as I will be breathing near her, and having close physical contact. It didn't make sense though he tried to explain it (he is not a quack- his practice is state-of-the-art)- so I took a dose of Flu Mist there. That solved one problem, because i have no one to care for my child if I get sick.

[dave123williams]

1. How much are tickets to Canada?

You can get a shot for her up there...they have a surplus of the stuff.

[mastein]

2. Perspective

I am a father of a 2 and half year old little boy, and a Public Health professional. (I have an MS from university of Iowa in PH, a professional certification along with almost 10 years experience.)

My mom called me all afright that my son wouldn't get the vaccine. I was nonchalant. He can handle it. IF he gets sick one of us will take off work to take care of him. As it is my wife took a part time job to spend more time with him and get him out of day care so his exposure to that stuff goes down. Vaccines are medical not economic tools. While I understand the pain your daughter will cause both to you mentally, and your pocket book, I would much rather see the folks who could die of complications from the flu get the vaccine first. That is what these now enforced guidelines insure.