Has anyone found the preservative free H1N1 shot in Maryland?

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Hi All,

I am 32 weeks pregnant and looking for the preservative free H1N1 shot in Maryland (or anywhere in the DC area that will give it to a MD resident). I am not having any luck finding it. Anyone else on the same search? My OB was actually relaxed about it and basically suggested I wait for the hysteria to calm down. Also, I know that the baby gets some protection if the mother is vaccinated during pregnancy, but is the same true for a brestfeeding mother if I wind up getting the shot after delivery. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I am looking too...

[Anonymous]

I found this place that is offering the seasonal flu shot (preservative free) and may have H1N1 (preservative free) next week, but they only give the preservative free shots to people who REQUEST IT. Im taking my 9 month old tomarrow. Go to this website and click on the USA map to the right for locations. I called the one in columbia and they said that the only office that has the seasonal vaccine is the the one in Baltimore on 921 East Fort Ave. Phone: [phone] They only have walk-in shots (no appointments) 9am-5pm M-F, not sure about weekends. They don't take insurance and the fee is $30 cash or credit card. www.passporthealthusa.com Hope this is helpful.

[Anonymous]

DC has the single dose Novartis shot and is reserving for pregnant women (went there tonight and got my shot). Its the closest to preservative free that is out there right now (it has 'trace' amounts that are miniscule compared to the 25mg in the muli use vials--if you read the Dr. Sears article on the 4 manufacturers you can compare.

That was the best I could find in terms of preservative free. The clinic is open until 9 pm tonight.

[Anonymous]

Are you certain that it was the single dose? Did you see the box or anything?

[Anonymous]

Where in DC did you find the Novartis shot?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

PP here--It WAS the single dose for sure. I sat down and spoke with head nurse at the clinic before to confirm they had the single dose novartis(she asked if I was pregnant which I confirmed).

Then when I sat down at the station and again requested the single shot, a guy came over and handed my lady the single sealed package/syringe which she opened in front of me. I then inspected to confirm was a single dose, one use vial (call me paranoid but I wanted to make super sure it was the single dose as I am in first trimester).

It was thrown out when my shot was done. Single dose for sure.

I was super pleased with DC for having single dose on hand (even if it does have trace amounts since its the novartis one vs. the sanofi one). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

to PP. can you post where you got the Novartis shot. Thanks

[Anonymous]

They have them at all the DC clinics. You just have to ask.

[Anonymous]

Ditto the PP--they had the single dose preservative-free shots at the DC clinics this weekend, for pregnant women, as well, if requested, for nursing mothers.

[Anonymous]

thanks for the information on DC clinics.

[Anonymous]

To clarify: the PPs are saying that they had thimerosal-FREE shots at the ongoing DC clinics?

Also to clarify: DC clinics are doing shots for NURSING mothers, not just pregnant?

[Anonymous]

do they check for proof of residency before you get the shot in DC? Montgomery county has none, so I'm thinking of trying to get it in DC. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Most posters who went to the DC clinics said they had the Novartis single-dose -- which is LOW thimerisol (1 mcg vs. 25 mcg), not NO thimerisol.