Government rationing:H1N1

[Anonymous]

MD has an automated phone system that makes drivers' test appointments. I imagine there are more than 1000 a week of those since it's statewide. No waiting on hold at all. I wonder if they could use that to make flu shot appointments?

[Anonymous]

My son qualifies, but from what I have heard people start lining up as much as 2 or 3 hours before the clinic starts and we cannot do that. I would be happy if they could just run it like the DMV. Take a number and then go sit in a waiting area. He would act up there too, but something about waiting in line sets off the absolute worst behavior.

I know DC isn't checking IDs, but if we go there are we taking shots away from DC residents? In Fairfax County they only had 250 (now 300) shots a day and I know in some places over 1,000 people showed up.

Thank you to everyone giving suggestions. I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

DC seems to have significantly more vaccine than the surrounding jurisdictions. If you son needs the vaccine, take him to dc. The federal government is paying for these vaccines. In certain areas of DC, there is low demand for the vaccine.

[Anonymous]

What's up with your pedi's situation? Is s/he going to provide the vaccine? I know it's hit or miss with which physicians have the vaccine, but hopefully yours would at least give you some idea.

[Anonymous]

Our ped did not get the vaccine and we were told to check the county webiste for updates regarding where to get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son qualifies, but from what I have heard people start lining up as much as 2 or 3 hours before the clinic starts and we cannot do that. I would be happy if they could just run it like the DMV. Take a number and then go sit in a waiting area. He would act up there too, but something about waiting in line sets off the absolute worst behavior.

I know DC isn't checking IDs, but if we go there are we taking shots away from DC residents? In Fairfax County they only had 250 (now 300) shots a day and I know in some places over 1,000 people showed up.

Thank you to everyone giving suggestions. I appreciate it.

OP people have been reporting clinics in SE and NE DC do not have long wait times. There is no reason not to go there. As far as I know, no jurisdiction at this point in our area is limiting vaccines to just residents. The vaccine itself has been paid for by the federal givernment. It has been distributed by population true, but in general there is reciprocity among areas. In your specific situation I'd have no qualms about taking your child to DC. Personally, I am not going to DC for my shot simply because of convenicne -- I *could* stand in line for hours, just don't want to. But your situation is different.

Do consider also checking with te Fairfax Health Dept and explaining your situation. They should have a way for kids who simply cannot stand in line to get their necessary vaccinations.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again...Forget the whole government rationing thing. I have a fever and am not thinking clearly. I do think something needs to be done to take into consideration the needs of those with disabilities and perhaps those of us who care for those with disabilities should be given some preference as well. I am one of the only people who can care for my child. For those of you who don't get being willing to spend $150 to get the shot, I wish you could experience ASD for a week. This is NOT about merely being "incovenienced." This is about keeping a child safe. Give the shots to high risk groups, but let high risk people pay if they want an appointment or for those who cannot pay have a Drs. note explain the need for an appointment.

If you identify your geographic area, maybe somebody here knows a place near by that doesn't have long lines. I know that when my wife took our kids to Coolidge High School, there was almost no line.

Yes, the Coolidge clinic was great on Saturday...I would try a Saturday clinic in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again...Forget the whole government rationing thing. I have a fever and am not thinking clearly. I do think something needs to be done to take into consideration the needs of those with disabilities and perhaps those of us who care for those with disabilities should be given some preference as well. I am one of the only people who can care for my child. For those of you who don't get being willing to spend $150 to get the shot, I wish you could experience ASD for a week. This is NOT about merely being "incovenienced." This is about keeping a child safe. Give the shots to high risk groups, but let high risk people pay if they want an appointment or for those who cannot pay have a Drs. note explain the need for an appointment.

If you identify your geographic area, maybe somebody here knows a place near by that doesn't have long lines. I know that when my wife took our kids to Coolidge High School, there was almost no line.

Yes, the Coolidge clinic was great on Saturday...I would try a Saturday clinic in DC.

Just to add...they had no problem with the fact that we're MoCo residents.

[Anonymous]

I don't see a reason why you can't show up and explain your situation. Am I being naive to think a child with special needs should be able to jump the line?

There were tons of volunteers at the DC clinic last week when I went. The way it was set up (physically), I dont even think people on line would know that you were given special treatment.

[Anonymous]

Well, we can all rest easier knowing that the Gitmo detainees are getting their H1N1 vaccines, even if those of us in VA are having a hard time getting our kids vaccinated. I am actually most worried about my husband who has asthma and seems to end up with a bacterial infection in his lungs every time he gets a bad cold. There is not even a whisper of when they are going to get to vaccinating high risk adults in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Prince George's County has been making appointment for special needs. A colleague of mine made an appointment and is taking her son this Wednesday. I'd try calling PG and see if they can help you not have to stand in line.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Well, we can all rest easier knowing that the Gitmo detainees are getting their H1N1 vaccines, even if those of us in VA are having a hard time getting our kids vaccinated. I am actually most worried about my husband who has asthma and seems to end up with a bacterial infection in his lungs every time he gets a bad cold. There is not even a whisper of when they are going to get to vaccinating high risk adults in Fairfax County.

This is an interesting situation and says a lot about healthcare in America. The US has a legal obligation to provide healthcare to it's prisoners and the detainees at Gitmo are considered a high risk population. On the other hand, the US government does not have a legal obligation to provide healthcare to American citizens. Moreover, Republicans are doing all they can to keep the government out of healthcare. So, if you are concerned that detainees at Gitmo are getting better care than you, you should probably support healthcare reforms that are even stronger than the current proposals.

Also, please allow me this moment to gloat over the much better services provided by the DC government than those provided by the government of Fairfax. It's not often those of us in the District can brag about our superior government efficiency.

[Anonymous]

Gitmo detainees are not getting vaccinated. I was at a briefing this morning with DHS, HHS and the White House and they said no detainees are getting vaccinations.


And I second the gloating. Got my son his shot last week. Good job DC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not rationing if the vaccine is equally available to everyone in a high risk group, at the same time, through the same system, for no cost.

It would be rationing if the vaccine were only available to those who could afford to pay $150 to get it. Kind of like health care works now.

Oh snap, pp!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I care about those who can't pay top dollar for a plan and I also care about those with disabilities, like my own child. I actually respected the guidelines for vaccinations, unlike a number of people. I didn't lie about age or hop over to another county. My son IS in a high risk group, but in my county there were so few vaccines that the clinic I planned to go to decreased the age limit so we could not go. From what I hear plenty of people ignored those guidelines. I would GLADLY pay $150 because I have a son who CANNOT wait in lines without major tantrums or running off. Do I have money to throw around? NO. The clinics have expanded the age group, but from what I hear you wait on line for several hours long before the clinic opens. My son cannot do that safely.

Go to DC. They have vaccine. Check to see if your child will qualify. Their clinics have been very good overall, especially the Saturday ones. Also, more vaccine is promised for the coming week.

And go to a school in a poorer section of the city. I've heard good things about shorter lines at Ballou and Kelly Miller.