DC canceling/cutting back H1N1 vaccine clinics

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/05/AR2009110505139.html

D.C. cuts back flu clinics
Friday, November 6, 2009


District health officials said Thursday that they are limiting their schedule of public swine flu vaccination clinics, which have covered more than 11,000 people so far, so they can dedicate more doses to doctor's offices and community health centers.

The officials also said pharmacies would not begin receiving the vaccine this week as they had expected. That date has been pushed back until after the week of Nov. 23.

In Loudoun County, health officials are opening a Saturday clinic at Smart's Mill Middle School in Leesburg, which will have 2,000 doses on hand. It will target pregnant women; children 4 to 18 with medical disorders that put them at higher risk for complications from the flu; and children 2 to 9 with no underlying medical conditions, according to Health Director David Goodfriend.

Public clinics will be held in the District as scheduled Thursday evening. Saturday's clinics will have an earlier closing time of 1 p.m., not 4 p.m. Tuesday's clinics at Coolidge High School and McKinley Technology High School have been canceled, as has the Nov. 14 clinic at Wilson High School. Other clinics next week will continue, although three vaccination clinics Nov. 14 will also close at 1 p.m.


-- Michael Laris

[Anonymous]

Please help me figure out which clinic to bring my kids to. Where will the lines be shortest and at what time?

Here's what's left:

Saturday, November 7 8 am - 1 pm
Cardozo Senior High School (W1)
Ballou Senior High School (W8)
Eliot-Hine Middle School (W6)
Kelly Miller Middle School (W7)

Thursday, November 12 5 pm - 9 pm
Cardozo Senior High School (W1)
Ballou Senior High School (W8)

Saturday November 14 8 am - 1 pm
Eliot-Hine Middle School (W6)
Kelly Miller Middle School (W7)
Hardy Middle School (W2)

[Anonymous]

I'm new in town and would really appreciate the geographic help. Which clinics are in upper NW and Georgetown?

[Anonymous]

Kelly Miller in NE-I had a great experience there.

[Anonymous]

Ballou. Definitely. I walked in, filled out my paperwork, went straight to the nurses station, got the spray for my kids, shot for myself (asthma) and left. Total time in school: 30 minutes.

And yes, I'm white. And yes, I was the only one. (My kids are biracial). And just in case you're wondering, I live in McLean. The drive was the longest part.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Penguin, for the overview. It's a shame that the low-income neighborhoods aren't using the clinics as heavily. I would guess that switching the vaccines to private providers isn't going to give them greater access, either.

For the Saturday clinic, it sounds like I have my choice of any of the offerings (Cardozo, Ballou, Eliot-Hine, and
Kelly Miller). Anyone have any further advice, details, etc. that would be helpful to a newbie? I'm coming in from Fairfax County (Vienna) where the supply is much more tightly controlled.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

you might want to check your local minute clinics before making the trek all the way into DC. rumor has it they have gotten some delivery

- OR if you are a Goldman Saks employee or Citibank executive you can just go to your employer and get it .....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you might want to check your local minute clinics before making the trek all the way into DC. rumor has it they have gotten some delivery

- OR if you are a Goldman Saks employee or Citibank executive you can just go to your employer and get it .....

Do those of us "all the way in" DC have minute clinics? What are these?

[Anonymous]

Minute Clinics are clinics that are in CVS. Unfortunately, no CVS's in DC have a minute clinic. They are part of some of the stores in Maryland and Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone gone to Cardozo HS? What time did you go and what kind of line did you experience? It's the closest to my house (actually walking distance) so I'm planning on going tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone gone to Cardozo HS? What time did you go and what kind of line did you experience? It's the closest to my house (actually walking distance) so I'm planning on going tomorrow.

I went the first day and waited 2 hours (arrived 1 hour before opening).

[Anonymous]

I had a really good great experience at Kelly-Miller.

In and out in around 30 mins. Went on a Tuesday night one not Sat so I don't know what the Saturday clinics are like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone gone to Cardozo HS? What time did you go and what kind of line did you experience? It's the closest to my house (actually walking distance) so I'm planning on going tomorrow.

I went the first day and waited 2 hours (arrived 1 hour before opening).

People posting from last weekend had the most criticisms about Cardozo HS. The Upper and western NW DC clinics have long lines and long waits. The other clinics had short lines and were well-run as per folks who posted in this forum last weekend.

[Anonymous]

According to CVS's web site, the Minute Clinics in Northern Virginia that currently have H1N1 vaccine are Dale City (low supply), Gainesville, Warrenton, and Dumfries.

[Anonymous]

I would call the Minute Clinics to ensure they have the correct vaccine for children under the age of 4. A few weeks ago, I went to several minute clinics but they could not vaccinate anyone under 4 years old. I assume they were only receiving the brand that is approved for 4+ at that time.

Also, minute clinics can only vaccinate children 18 months and up.

Go to www.minuteclinic.com for information and the 800# to call for more information.