Washington Post Query

[Anonymous]

I'm a reporter at The Washington Post, and am working on a story about doctors who are not recommending the H1N1 vaccine. Has anyone encountered that?

Thanks,

Rob Stein
The Washington Post
202-334-7338
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

didn't you ask this question on multiple forums last week?

[Anonymous]

Dr Sears is the only doctor I know of but he's not local.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/vaccine-pregnant-h-2624607

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr Sears is the only doctor I know of but he's not local.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/vaccine-pregnant-h-2624607

There have been multiple posts here about people mad at their pediatricians because they will not give the H1N1 shot.

[Anonymous]

Will not give, or don't have a supply of?

[Anonymous]

Dr. Ioana Razi? I think she is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Ioana Razi? I think she is not.

She said whatever we want to do -- did not discourage.

[Anonymous]

A very well respected practice in Fairfax/Burke is not recommending. Murphy and Staats.

[Anonymous]

Kensington Pediatrics did not rec months ago at our last appointment, in person, but now the FD says they rec both. However no one called us to advise. Confusing. They seem overwhelmed with calls on the subject.

[Anonymous]

A mom from my list serv forwarded a fact sheet distributed by her pediatrician with blatantly incorrect, inaccurate info (saying the flu shot contains dangerous adjuvants, when it fact, it does not).

What action can I take? If I called as a non patient to request the info be corrected, there is no way they would call me back or listen to me. I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but on the other hand, this practice should be reprimanded in some way for distributing incorrect info. I suppose I could report to the AAP if they are members?

I'm fine if physicians advise patients against getting the shot, but they need to distribute the correct information and not base their reasoning on lies.

[Anonymous]

I hope if you do write this article you will at least mention that finding a doctor who wasn't recommending took you quite a bit of time. Some will draw solace from the fact you are able to find 1 or 2 doctors who feel this way, though it should be put in context that it took you awhile and that they are vastly in the minority.

[Anonymous]

You should also make it very clear when people heard the recommendation. What was being said in June, July, and August is VERY different than now. It wasn't clear until late September there would be no adjuvants, and many pediatrician offices didn't know if they would recieve the vaccine so many were not recommending it.

The timeline is very important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kensington Pediatrics did not rec months ago at our last appointment, in person, but now the FD says they rec both. However no one called us to advise. Confusing. They seem overwhelmed with calls on the subject.

That's surprising to me b/c we were there two months ago for our son's 9 month check up and asked Dr. Fusner about the H1N1 vaccine and she said she was comfortable with it because it was just a slight modification from the season flu vaccine. And she said she was on the list to receive it once it became available. Unfortunately, like many doctors in the area, she has not yet received her shipment.

[Anonymous]

to the reporter....please make sure the piece accurately represents any doctors you do profile as against vaccinating as the minority voice they are. It's fine to do a piece on them - but too often it seems like news pieces aim to make a small opinion sliver seem much more representative than it is.

[Anonymous]

Rob, did your article come out? If so, would you provide a link? Thanks.