Arlington H1N1clinic today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You are over-reacting. I think it is the responsibility of the staff administering the shot to decide who can get it and who can't. Shouldn't they know best?

Several of the moms in my playgroup, who all have 14 month olds, have gotten the shot at this same clinic because their kids can't. They weren't trying to game the system, they wanted to protect their children in any way possible. Why begrudge them that?

LOL PP . . . this is like that episode of Seinfeld where George attended a birthday party and thought there was a fire, so he knocked over all the toddlers trying to get out of the burning house first. You and your friends pretty much just knocked over a bunch of pregnant women and children with disabilities so they could get their shots first. Glad you all found each other so you can be friends together!

Good analogy. I have been reading this thread thinking these selfish moms would be putting other peoples' kids out of the only life boat when the ship was sinking because the moms were more entitled to be in the boat. Same people who think their 10 year olds deserve a seat on the metro over a person on crutches.

You are totally overwrought, all of you. This is not the fu*king Titanic, ladies, so get a hold of yourselves. You sound like an angry mob shaking pitchforks and holding torches.

If this virus mutates before all the vaccine gets rolled out, it could be just like the Titanic, and the kids that didn't get the flu shot are floating on debris praying for help before they freeze to death while healthy adults are in the life boat.

Yes, you are correct. The second leading cause of death on the Titanic was people dying from the flu (cause they didn't get their shots).

[Anonymous]

Whoa, I am so glad I got through the clinic before the vaccine wars broke out.

Since I was at the clinic on Monday and Tuesday AM, I had a lot of time to talk to the staff. On Monday I was the only one there. On Tuesday I was one of a dozen families. They were going back and forth on who to vaccinate. Originally only pregnant women were being vaccinated. Then they widened it due to a shipment of vaccine on Monday. Then they ran into the under two dilemma. They are trying to do their best, but they are not always consistent.

As a result, some people are getting vaccinated who are not technically on the priority list. I think it is fair for the staff to make case-by-case on that. Regardless of whether it is the best public health decision, it is their prerogative. And for what it's worth, it is their prerogative to vaccinate people from other jurisdictions. So I don't see a problem with it, as long as people are honest about their situation. If they're not, well they will eventually reap what they sow.

The vaccine isn't mine or yours or hers. It is the country's vaccine and they are distributing it the best they can under the circumstances. The clinic has to do the best it can to achieve a public good in a difficult situation. So we need to let go of inconsistencies. Be glad it's not DC, where they appear to occasionally give dosing errors (WaPo article on the firefighters, claims from some posters on DCUM).

[Anonymous]

God bless you PP for being a voice of reason on this thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whoa, I am so glad I got through the clinic before the vaccine wars broke out.

Since I was at the clinic on Monday and Tuesday AM, I had a lot of time to talk to the staff. On Monday I was the only one there. On Tuesday I was one of a dozen families. They were going back and forth on who to vaccinate. Originally only pregnant women were being vaccinated. Then they widened it due to a shipment of vaccine on Monday. Then they ran into the under two dilemma. They are trying to do their best, but they are not always consistent.

As a result, some people are getting vaccinated who are not technically on the priority list. I think it is fair for the staff to make case-by-case on that. Regardless of whether it is the best public health decision, it is their prerogative. And for what it's worth, it is their prerogative to vaccinate people from other jurisdictions. So I don't see a problem with it, as long as people are honest about their situation. If they're not, well they will eventually reap what they sow.

The vaccine isn't mine or yours or hers. It is the country's vaccine and they are distributing it the best they can under the circumstances. The clinic has to do the best it can to achieve a public good in a difficult situation. So we need to let go of inconsistencies. Be glad it's not DC, where they appear to occasionally give dosing errors (WaPo article on the firefighters, claims from some posters on DCUM).

Very well said!

[Anonymous]

No, it's more than one. I am pissed at the line-cutters and have posted 2x but i am not the "sinking ship" person, not the "day of reckoning" person, or the "seinfeld person" (that one was too funny, the the way)
I think there are lots of people shocked by the behavior of these moms.

Definitely more than one. I'm not PP, sinking ship, or titanic, but I am the Seinfeld poster.

Does it really shock you that people are upset that healthy adults are getting the vaccines ahead of the priority folks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You are over-reacting. I think it is the responsibility of the staff administering the shot to decide who can get it and who can't. Shouldn't they know best?

Several of the moms in my playgroup, who all have 14 month olds, have gotten the shot at this same clinic because their kids can't. They weren't trying to game the system, they wanted to protect their children in any way possible. Why begrudge them that?

LOL PP . . . this is like that episode of Seinfeld where George attended a birthday party and thought there was a fire, so he knocked over all the toddlers trying to get out of the burning house first. You and your friends pretty much just knocked over a bunch of pregnant women and children with disabilities so they could get their shots first. Glad you all found each other so you can be friends together!

Good analogy. I have been reading this thread thinking these selfish moms would be putting other peoples' kids out of the only life boat when the ship was sinking because the moms were more entitled to be in the boat. Same people who think their 10 year olds deserve a seat on the metro over a person on crutches.

You are totally overwrought, all of you. This is not the fu*king Titanic, ladies, so get a hold of yourselves. You sound like an angry mob shaking pitchforks and holding torches.

Agree with this - it's the flu people, not a vaccine to prevent some fast spreading/deadly disease that kills thousands of people everyday. Yes, those in the priority groups should go first and people should respect that. But my god, the level of anger from some (or maybe it's just one?) posters is beyond comprehension.

I haven't been able to get the vaccine for my kids yet and I'm up nights worrying about this damn flu--but reading this whole thread has made my fear so much worse. The level of emotion/anger/panic/anxiety has magnified my own--particularly the reference to the Titanic, etc. Man, I need a valium now. Or I need to avoid these swine flu posts for a while.

[Anonymous]

God, I thought that by skipping the private school admissions circus that I would be free of this drama. I don't know whether I'm more annoyed at the rule breakers or the goody goodies calling "not fair".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the people who have gotten the H1N1 vaccine and are not in the CDC priority groups - WHAT YOU DID IS DISGUSTING. YOU ARE DISGUSTING. How do you sleep at night knowing vulnerable children are going without because you are so selfish that you cut in line to get your own?

Blaming the system is a cop out. You are adults. Tell the staff "No, I will wait my turn." How hard is that? Take responsibility for what you are, and what you are is a horrible, unethical, rude and selfish person.

I completely agree. The last time I had the flu I was hospitalized and I am scared to death of it. However, I am not in the priority group so I am waiting my turn. Meanwhile, I haven't been able to get an injectable dose for my very tiny 16 month old. I worry for her and I am completely stressed out about this.

[Anonymous]

A new poster here who went to the Arlington clinic today. I took my so, who has other risk factors, but out younger one wasn't old enough. To be clear, the person who checked us in offered me the paperwork to have the shot after I told her (twice) that I wasn't in a priority group, and asked (more than encouraged) me to fill out the form for myself to get the shot as well, saying they wanted to get vaccines to as many people as possible quickly. Yet another clinic worker told me basically the same thing when I again raised the issue before going back to get the shot.

I knew that there were shortages with the vaccines, but until reading DCUM tonight I really had no idea if there were sufficient doses of particular vaccines (the mist as opposed to the shot, etc.). After having two clinic workers strongly encouraged me to get it, I believed what they said and assumed that I wasn't up-to-date on a recent change to get the vaccine out as widely as possible rather than to certain groups. So I got the shot. I certainly wouldn't have if I had thought I was going against the policy or approach on effect. I just thought my information about priority groups had become stale.

I'm only posting this because, having been at the Arlington clinic today, I think a fair number of people (particularly those like me who wanted to get the shot for a child but who otherwise aren't following news reports, blogs, etc. on the issue) may have been legitimately confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new poster here who went to the Arlington clinic today. I took my so, who has other risk factors, but out younger one wasn't old enough. To be clear, the person who checked us in offered me the paperwork to have the shot after I told her (twice) that I wasn't in a priority group, and asked (more than encouraged) me to fill out the form for myself to get the shot as well, saying they wanted to get vaccines to as many people as possible quickly. Yet another clinic worker told me basically the same thing when I again raised the issue before going back to get the shot.

I knew that there were shortages with the vaccines, but until reading DCUM tonight I really had no idea if there were sufficient doses of particular vaccines (the mist as opposed to the shot, etc.). After having two clinic workers strongly encouraged me to get it, I believed what they said and assumed that I wasn't up-to-date on a recent change to get the vaccine out as widely as possible rather than to certain groups. So I got the shot. I certainly wouldn't have if I had thought I was going against the policy or approach on effect. I just thought my information about priority groups had become stale.

I'm only posting this because, having been at the Arlington clinic today, I think a fair number of people (particularly those like me who wanted to get the shot for a child but who otherwise aren't following news reports, blogs, etc. on the issue) may have been legitimately confused.

Ditto to this post. There seems to be this idea that we non-priority moms are pushing to the front of the line and insisting they get our shot first, which was NOT the case. Most have said that we told the workers were not there for the shot for us, but were there for our kids, but were then repeatedly told that we should get the shot, too, by the health care workers. I guess I figured that these workers would have the latest information on supply, priority, etc. so I went with what they said and got the shot. I certainly did not go in asking for the shot or insisting I get it before anyone else. I know that won't please the people/person who keeps insisting we are evil and will go to hell for this, but I think this what happened to a lot of people at the clinic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new poster here who went to the Arlington clinic today. I took my so, who has other risk factors, but out younger one wasn't old enough. To be clear, the person who checked us in offered me the paperwork to have the shot after I told her (twice) that I wasn't in a priority group, and asked (more than encouraged) me to fill out the form for myself to get the shot as well, saying they wanted to get vaccines to as many people as possible quickly. Yet another clinic worker told me basically the same thing when I again raised the issue before going back to get the shot.

I knew that there were shortages with the vaccines, but until reading DCUM tonight I really had no idea if there were sufficient doses of particular vaccines (the mist as opposed to the shot, etc.). After having two clinic workers strongly encouraged me to get it, I believed what they said and assumed that I wasn't up-to-date on a recent change to get the vaccine out as widely as possible rather than to certain groups. So I got the shot. I certainly wouldn't have if I had thought I was going against the policy or approach on effect. I just thought my information about priority groups had become stale.

I think you did the right thing.

There is a legitimate public health goal which is to vaccinate as many people as possible every day, given that we are right now in the middle of an epidemic. At the end of the day at each clinic there should be no vaccine left in that clinic.

The posters who are coming on here and giving you a hard time, because there may be a shortage (temporary or otherwise) at a different location, are wrong.

The people working for the public health department in Arlington, or where ever, are the final decision makers of who should get the vaccine and when and where, and if you are accurately telling them of what group you are in, it is completely ethical to accept the vaccine if they offer it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A new poster here who went to the Arlington clinic today. I took my so, who has other risk factors, but out younger one wasn't old enough. To be clear, the person who checked us in offered me the paperwork to have the shot after I told her (twice) that I wasn't in a priority group, and asked (more than encouraged) me to fill out the form for myself to get the shot as well, saying they wanted to get vaccines to as many people as possible quickly. Yet another clinic worker told me basically the same thing when I again raised the issue before going back to get the shot.

I knew that there were shortages with the vaccines, but until reading DCUM tonight I really had no idea if there were sufficient doses of particular vaccines (the mist as opposed to the shot, etc.). After having two clinic workers strongly encouraged me to get it, I believed what they said and assumed that I wasn't up-to-date on a recent change to get the vaccine out as widely as possible rather than to certain groups. So I got the shot. I certainly wouldn't have if I had thought I was going against the policy or approach on effect. I just thought my information about priority groups had become stale.

I think you did the right thing.

There is a legitimate public health goal which is to vaccinate as many people as possible every day, given that we are right now in the middle of an epidemic. At the end of the day at each clinic there should be no vaccine left in that clinic.

The posters who are coming on here and giving you a hard time, because there may be a shortage (temporary or otherwise) at a different location, are wrong.

The people working for the public health department in Arlington, or where ever, are the final decision makers of who should get the vaccine and when and where, and if you are accurately telling them of what group you are in, it is completely ethical to accept the vaccine if they offer it.

Absolutely agree with this poster. The goal, ultimately, is to get as many vaccinated as possible. The CDC has stated that there will be enough swine flu vaccine to go around, eventually. The bigger worry is that these parents who are passing now, won't come back later (statistically likely). So, you want to capture these people in line waiting with their kids.

Plus, in defense of the public health workers giving vaccines to those not at high risk, imagine if they met a person of such vitriole as some of the earlier PPs, saying it's their right to get it? They are looking out for the best interest of society as a whole, not running intereference or security against the crazies. Geez, should they start hiring security guards at these clinics?

[Anonymous]

I think you did the right thing.

There is a legitimate public health goal which is to vaccinate as many people as possible every day, given that we are right now in the middle of an epidemic. At the end of the day at each clinic there should be no vaccine left in that clinic.

The posters who are coming on here and giving you a hard time, because there may be a shortage (temporary or otherwise) at a different location, are wrong.

The people working for the public health department in Arlington, or where ever, are the final decision makers of who should get the vaccine and when and where, and if you are accurately telling them of what group you are in, it is completely ethical to accept the vaccine if they offer it.

Please explain to me why, then, health officials are designating which groups should go where for their vaccines? Why are some clinics publicly announced as geared towards just children, others just high risk adults, others just school age children? One today in PG county is open to the general public.

If it is really okay for everyone to just go to any clinic they want and get the shot, why are public health officials not recommending that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think you did the right thing.

There is a legitimate public health goal which is to vaccinate as many people as possible every day, given that we are right now in the middle of an epidemic. At the end of the day at each clinic there should be no vaccine left in that clinic.

The posters who are coming on here and giving you a hard time, because there may be a shortage (temporary or otherwise) at a different location, are wrong.

The people working for the public health department in Arlington, or where ever, are the final decision makers of who should get the vaccine and when and where, and if you are accurately telling them of what group you are in, it is completely ethical to accept the vaccine if they offer it.

Please explain to me why, then, health officials are designating which groups should go where for their vaccines? Why are some clinics publicly announced as geared towards just children, others just high risk adults, others just school age children? One today in PG county is open to the general public.

If it is really okay for everyone to just go to any clinic they want and get the shot, why are public health officials not recommending that?

No one is advocating everyone going to every clinic. If someone shows up with an under 2 year old and he/she can't be vaccinated, and the clinic vaccinates the mother instead, that is a specific trade-off the clinic is making in order to meet the goal of protecting that under 2 year old child. Even within the CDC priority groups, under 4 year olds are listed as a special category, so trying to protect them is a reasonable step.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think you did the right thing.

There is a legitimate public health goal which is to vaccinate as many people as possible every day, given that we are right now in the middle of an epidemic. At the end of the day at each clinic there should be no vaccine left in that clinic.

The posters who are coming on here and giving you a hard time, because there may be a shortage (temporary or otherwise) at a different location, are wrong.

The people working for the public health department in Arlington, or where ever, are the final decision makers of who should get the vaccine and when and where, and if you are accurately telling them of what group you are in, it is completely ethical to accept the vaccine if they offer it.

Please explain to me why, then, health officials are designating which groups should go where for their vaccines? Why are some clinics publicly announced as geared towards just children, others just high risk adults, others just school age children? One today in PG county is open to the general public.

If it is really okay for everyone to just go to any clinic they want and get the shot, why are public health officials not recommending that?

I called the Prince George's County Vaccination Clinic and they told me that the vaccination clinic today was only for people ina high risk groups. Who told you it wass for the general public?