H1N1 Vaccination: My Experience
This morning, two of my three children got their first H1N1 vaccinations. Now that it's available to high-risk groups, I thought I'd give my doctor's office a call about getting mine. (I have asthma, so I'm in the high risk group.)
Not only does my doctor's office not have any, but they don't even know if they'll get any at all. Off I went to the Dept. of Health to investigate.
Each provider must put in a request to the state and wait to hear if they're approved. The state is looking for risk groups as well as the ability to house the vaccine with sufficient refrigeration, and distribute it efficiently. Here in Pennsylvania, all vaccine is going to pediatricians right now, and the priority is five to nine year olds. Though my kids got it even though they're only 3 and 4. There's no word on when my baby can get one-she needs the shot and only the mist is currently available.
Every week, the state will distribute a group of doses with instructions on who is to be prioritized. But no one knows who will be next in the priority list. The person I spoke to at the health department-who was suprisingly unfrazzled-said that the only thing for people to do it watch the Web site (http://www.h1n1inpa.com/ for local folks) and call in a few weeks. She also reminded me that the flu is being a bit overblown.
What has your experience been?