Moms who are NOT HIGH RISK getting the H1N1 shot ahead of high risk people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I understand. But wouldn't it make more sense and maximize the public health benefits to send the young kids to get the vaccine in Fairfax instead of vaccinating the parents and leaving the child still in need of the vaccine. By doing it Arlington's way, fewer high-risk patients get the vaccine.

A lot of people don't have the resources to take another day off of work or drive further away to chase down a vaccine. If workers told moms and kids -- sorry, we can't do you here, but drive to this other location and they will vax your child, a substantial number of people who showed up for the first vaccine would just give up. THose would disproportionately be lower income folks, as well, IMO. People with fewer resources. I think given that they showed up at a clinic, vaccinating the parents of those they couldn't vaccinate made sense and was in the public interest.

But do these parents now have a false sense of security that their children are protected even though the children weren't vaccinated, but the parents were? Are they less likely to find a vaccine for their child?

Perhaps, as a compromise, Arl. County could urge parents of young children to get the vaccine in Fairfax on Saturday or in DC. They could stress the importance of getting the children vaccinated and stress that the vaccine is still in short supply and they are trying to limit it to the people on the CDC's high priority list. However, if the parents are unwilling or unable to get their children to the Saturday clinic, Arl. could offer to vaccinate the parents. I think it was wrong of Arlington to URGE low-risk parents to get the vaccine when the vaccine IS available for their children in DC and Fairfax. Only if the parents expressed an unwillingness or inability to go to the appropriate place to get their children the vaccine, should it have been offered to the low-risk parents. But that's just MHO. I think Arlington's approach yesterday, while not completely unreasonable, was not optimal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I understand. But wouldn't it make more sense and maximize the public health benefits to send the young kids to get the vaccine in Fairfax instead of vaccinating the parents and leaving the child still in need of the vaccine. By doing it Arlington's way, fewer high-risk patients get the vaccine.

A lot of people don't have the resources to take another day off of work or drive further away to chase down a vaccine. If workers told moms and kids -- sorry, we can't do you here, but drive to this other location and they will vax your child, a substantial number of people who showed up for the first vaccine would just give up. THose would disproportionately be lower income folks, as well, IMO. People with fewer resources. I think given that they showed up at a clinic, vaccinating the parents of those they couldn't vaccinate made sense and was in the public interest.

But do these parents now have a false sense of security that their children are protected even though the children weren't vaccinated, but the parents were? Are they less likely to find a vaccine for their child?

Perhaps, as a compromise, Arl. County could urge parents of young children to get the vaccine in Fairfax on Saturday or in DC. They could stress the importance of getting the children vaccinated and stress that the vaccine is still in short supply and they are trying to limit it to the people on the CDC's high priority list. However, if the parents are unwilling or unable to get their children to the Saturday clinic, Arl. could offer to vaccinate the parents. I think it was wrong of Arlington to URGE low-risk parents to get the vaccine when the vaccine IS available for their children in DC and Fairfax. Only if the parents expressed an unwillingness or inability to go to the appropriate place to get their children the vaccine, should it have been offered to the low-risk parents. But that's just MHO. I think Arlington's approach yesterday, while not completely unreasonable, was not optimal.

If they wanted to, they could try to get the vaccine from Fairfax. I'm sure there is a reason they aren't able to do that. And I'm betting that Fairfax doesn't want them publicly telling everyone to go over to Arlington. How do you think the Fairfax parents would react?


When push comes to shove, the 5-18 year olds who do not have medical condition are not on the highest priority list. They are on the 150 million CDC priority list, but not on the 40 million CDC priority list. However 4 year olds and under are, and so the CDC rule sticklers should expect that in a shortage situation, CDC will try to protect that age group before the older kids, even if that means vaccinating the siblings and parents of that group.

http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090729b.htm

[Anonymous]

By "They" I meant the Arlington Clinic.

[Anonymous]

The governor of Virginia was on the radio today asking people who are not in the CDC high-risk categories to please wait their turn for the vaccine until more is available so high-risk individuals can be vaccinated now.

The President of the United States has gotten his seasonal flu shot but is waiting to get his H1N1 vaccine because he is not in a high-risk group.

Please follow the good example these leaders are setting.

[Anonymous]

I am really happy reading this, knowing that my "me first" MIL and her lousy attitude, are going to hell! Maniacal laugh here.....

[Anonymous]

I am really happy reading this, knowing that my "me first" MIL and her lousy attitude, are going to hell! Maniacal laugh here.....

HAH. If the threat of eternity in hell with your MIL isn't enough to dissuade you from getting the shot, I don't know what would . . .

[Anonymous]

The governor of Virginia was on the radio today asking people who are not in the CDC high-risk categories to please wait their turn for the vaccine until more is available so high-risk individuals can be vaccinated now.

The President of the United States has gotten his seasonal flu shot but is waiting to get his H1N1 vaccine because he is not in a high-risk group.

Please follow the good example these leaders are setting.

Duh. The comments of the Governor and the President don't apply to some DC moms. They are special. Unique. They deserve an exception because their children are special.

[Anonymous]

OMG these threads are so funny. One life is no more important than another what hypcrites. There will be PLENTY of this vaccine to go around. Seriously, go find something to do.

[Anonymous]

OMG these threads are so funny. One life is no more important than another what hypcrites. There will be PLENTY of this vaccine to go around. Seriously, go find something to do.

Says the woman who cheated the system and got her vaccine out of turn.

[Anonymous]

I was at the MoCo clinic yesterday. I got there very early to get my DD her nasal vaccine. I was shocked when an older woman - at least 60 - wearing a surgical mask, wandered up just before opening time and blatantly tried to cut the line. She protested that she was ill. Those of us that had been outside freezing for four hours sent her packing. She headed another 30 yards down the line and tried again, and they had none of it. Seriously, what gave her the right to cut the line. I stood in line as a surrogate for my daughter, I am sure she could have found someone to do the same for her, or kept her sick self home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was at the MoCo clinic yesterday. I got there very early to get my DD her nasal vaccine. I was shocked when an older woman - at least 60 - wearing a surgical mask, wandered up just before opening time and blatantly tried to cut the line. She protested that she was ill. Those of us that had been outside freezing for four hours sent her packing. She headed another 30 yards down the line and tried again, and they had none of it. Seriously, what gave her the right to cut the line. I stood in line as a surrogate for my daughter, I am sure she could have found someone to do the same for her, or kept her sick self home.

Are you being sarcastic? Or are you saying that a whole line full of people would not help a sick, old lady alone at the clinic? Has everyone lost their minds? I am starting to feel like this vaccine shortage is revealing DC's true colors. In many other towns, that lady would be ushered up to the front, no question.

[Anonymous]

Are you being sarcastic? Or are you saying that a whole line full of people would not help a sick, old lady alone at the clinic? Has everyone lost their minds? I am starting to feel like this vaccine shortage is revealing DC's true colors. In many other towns, that lady would be ushered up to the front, no question.

I don't think people that are actively sick can get the vaccine? Was she looking for medical attention and not the vaccine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The governor of Virginia was on the radio today asking people who are not in the CDC high-risk categories to please wait their turn for the vaccine until more is available so high-risk individuals can be vaccinated now.

The President of the United States has gotten his seasonal flu shot but is waiting to get his H1N1 vaccine because he is not in a high-risk group.

Please follow the good example these leaders are setting.

Duh. The comments of the Governor and the President don't apply to some DC moms. They are special. Unique. They deserve an exception because their children are special.

As far as I know the President and Governor do not have children that they were unable to get vaccinated.

[Anonymous]

The governor of Virginia was on the radio today asking people who are not in the CDC high-risk categories to please wait their turn for the vaccine until more is available so high-risk individuals can be vaccinated now.

The President of the United States has gotten his seasonal flu shot but is waiting to get his H1N1 vaccine because he is not in a high-risk group.

Please follow the good example these leaders are setting.



Duh. The comments of the Governor and the President don't apply to some DC moms. They are special. Unique. They deserve an exception because their children are special.



As far as I know the President and Governor do not have children that they were unable to get vaccinated.

There are many clinics in the area set up to vaccinate children. NO ONE is unable to vaccinate their children. Some moms just didn't want to have to go stand in line at a different clinic on a different day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The governor of Virginia was on the radio today asking people who are not in the CDC high-risk categories to please wait their turn for the vaccine until more is available so high-risk individuals can be vaccinated now.

The President of the United States has gotten his seasonal flu shot but is waiting to get his H1N1 vaccine because he is not in a high-risk group.

Please follow the good example these leaders are setting.



Duh. The comments of the Governor and the President don't apply to some DC moms. They are special. Unique. They deserve an exception because their children are special.



As far as I know the President and Governor do not have children that they were unable to get vaccinated.

There are many clinics in the area set up to vaccinate children. NO ONE is unable to vaccinate their children. Some moms just didn't want to have to go stand in line at a different clinic on a different day.

But it is not at all clear that these parents knew that when they got the shot - it sounds like Arlington was not telling people that the under 2 vaccine was available elsewhere. I have a 16 month old, and after reading these threads know that I can take her to Fairfax for the vaccine. But if I had gone to Arlington yesterday and been told what it sounds like these parents were told, I would have gotten the shot as well - not to protect myself (not sure if I will even get one if its available) but to protect my baby. If healthy adults are indeed gettting the shot just b/c it is easier than taking their child to a different vax site, then that is just beyond sad. But if they are getting it b/c they don't realize that they can take their child elsewhere, then I can't fault them for doing what they think it necesary to protect their child.