H1N1 Vaccine

[Anonymous]

I don't live in PW. I am a Fairfax county resident. They don't require PW residency to get a shot. Expect a long wait though. Bring a beach chair, some snacks and maybe a book. They gave away 600 shots on Sat. I got there an hour before they opened and there were at least 200 people in front of me already. Good news is it is all indoors. There are restrooms and restaurants close by.

[Anonymous]

Are you a PW county resident? Do they require PW county residency? I was thinking about going there but wasn't sure if there was a residency requirement.

[Anonymous]

In the end, it's entirely up to you. I think you're right that the risk of SERIOUS complications is low, but I think you're dead wrong that your risk of getting H1N1 at all is low. Your risk of contracting it is actually quite high. And although you probably will not end up hospitalized or dead if you catch it, it is totally confirmed that pregnant women's bodies attack the virus differently and are experiencing far more complications, in addition to the reduced lung capacity. Please don't kid yourself into thinking that you won't contract it. You probably will, and it will probably be very bad if you do get it...but, yes, you and your baby will probably end up just fine after you are sick as a dog for a week.

I wish I had the same level of confidence you have in this decision. I have no idea what to do. Did you read the Time magazine article about the long-term effects of swine flu on babies that were exposed in the womb (ie their mothers had it when they were pregnant)?

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1929814,00.html

Like any news article, I think there are two sides to every story and one study doesn't amount to a whole lot. That is why I'm in awe of people who are able to form such a hard and fast opinion like you seem to have.

[Anonymous]

PP -- I agree those articles are scary, but keep in mind that you are highly likely to be exposed to swine flu even if you don't get the vaccine.

[Anonymous]

OB/GYN Associates in Silver Spring (one of the OB practices in the professional building attached to Holy Cross Hospital) has the H1N1 vaccine and is offering it to all pregnant women who are patients there now. I was told they had received 400 doses from the MD State Health Department.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of a place offering it tomorrow (Monday)? I'm home Mondays and would love to get it done then for my pregnant self and asthmatic toddler rather than take time off another day.

[Anonymous]

Do you have to be a DC resident to get it at one of the DC clinics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know of a place offering it tomorrow (Monday)? I'm home Mondays and would love to get it done then for my pregnant self and asthmatic toddler rather than take time off another day.

the wash post had a chart the other day - I'll find the post for you in a minute.

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/flu_shots.html

Here's the updated list of clinics in DC
http://newsroom.dc.gov/show.aspx?agency=doh§ion=2&release=18365&year=2009&file=file.aspx%2frelease%2f18365%2fH1N1_vaccine_clinic_schedule_youth_pregnant_women.pdf