The high school flu clinic went so well that the Board of Health nurses wanted the same volunteers to work another clinic for elementary school-age children and young adults only. I said I would work it if I could get my own son a shot, even though he fell between the two age groups. They said no. Guess I'm not a good negotiator.
So I called the pediatrician and begged to have DS12 put on a priority list. They agreed with me he appeared to be falling through the cracks, but would put him at the bottom of their list until more shots came in.
And more shots finally did arrive...he will be getting his shot after school on Thursday. The office initially said they were running a clinic later in the week, but then offered to give him his shot at a time of my convenience. Maybe someone finally felt sorry for me. I am so glad I will be able to cross this worry off my list.
Showing posts with label H1N1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label H1N1. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
H1N1 Clinic
The high school held its H1N1 clinic as scheduled, and the older two received their shots. I volunteered at the clinic, filling out paperwork as the kids came through at their scheduled times. It was very interesting and very organized. Kudos to our school nurse, who said she's been planning this since August.
The middle school, however, has not had a clinic yet nor is one planned. You would think both schools would fall under the same umbrella, but they are in different towns. And, based on some comments I heard, there is some unnecessary bureaucracy and turfdom issues involved. Big sigh...why can't we all play nice?
Anyway, I was quite impressed by this mass inoculation. There weren't any problems, aside from just a handful of nervous kids. If the government (local, national) could get it together, I would almost suggest this is the way to go for all flu clinics. Three hours of injections and a good percentage of the school population is covered. Easier for the parents, too. (Obviously, many people opted out, or already got a shot from their healthcare provider.)
Now the hunt is on for a shot for DS12, the child who really needs one.
The middle school, however, has not had a clinic yet nor is one planned. You would think both schools would fall under the same umbrella, but they are in different towns. And, based on some comments I heard, there is some unnecessary bureaucracy and turfdom issues involved. Big sigh...why can't we all play nice?
Anyway, I was quite impressed by this mass inoculation. There weren't any problems, aside from just a handful of nervous kids. If the government (local, national) could get it together, I would almost suggest this is the way to go for all flu clinics. Three hours of injections and a good percentage of the school population is covered. Easier for the parents, too. (Obviously, many people opted out, or already got a shot from their healthcare provider.)
Now the hunt is on for a shot for DS12, the child who really needs one.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday Musings
This week has been dragging along. Maybe it's the time change, but we're all so tired. DS12 went to bed at 8:15 last night, and still had to be awakened at 6:15 a.m. today. I'm still adjusting to the darkness at 4:45 every afternoon...it feels like a surprise every day when I look outside and notice it.
This H1N1 vaccine shortage has been so frustrating. The kids and teachers at both schools are dropping like flies, but the numbers haven't reached a critical point yet. It seems as if they ebb and flow so that people are sick at different times. DD17 is amazed she hasn't caught the flu yet, since everyone around her is coughing. One teacher ordered a coughing student out of her classroom and sent her to the nurse, despite the student's objections. Very frustrating for everyone.
Our town had a Halloween candy "give back" day, where the kids were encouraged to give up some Halloween candy that would then be sent to the troops overseas. We sorted out at least half of the candy and dropped it off, with no arguments. Even DS12 agreed it was best to cut back on the candy and up the healthy snacks, given all the germs around. I generally let the kids eat as much candy as they want, since the gluttony usually lasts about a week only, but this year they finally seem to "get it." DD17 really hasn't eaten much candy at all since she was diagnosed with her nut allergy (although we do treat her occasionally to an order from Vermont Nut Free chocolate). And DS15 gets the connection between athletic performance and what he puts in his body, and he's had success in the sports he plays so he figures he's doing something right, nutritionally.
And I do remember when growing up there were always some kids around who weren't ever allowed candy or soda or cookies. They seemed to be the ones who used their lunch money to buy junk instead of lunch at school. And while I know the junk is everywhere today, and the kids (at least in elementary school) have so many occasions in school for candy/parties/etc. (which used to drive me crazy), I think banning everything doesn't teach a child to make good decisions. They have to understand the connection between what they put in their mouths and the effect it may have on their body or even their moods. Because eventually, they will be exposed to situations where they have to make the choice of what to eat or not eat. Arming a child with the knowledge of what to choose and when is infinitely better, I think, than never having exposed them to that choice at all.
This H1N1 vaccine shortage has been so frustrating. The kids and teachers at both schools are dropping like flies, but the numbers haven't reached a critical point yet. It seems as if they ebb and flow so that people are sick at different times. DD17 is amazed she hasn't caught the flu yet, since everyone around her is coughing. One teacher ordered a coughing student out of her classroom and sent her to the nurse, despite the student's objections. Very frustrating for everyone.
Our town had a Halloween candy "give back" day, where the kids were encouraged to give up some Halloween candy that would then be sent to the troops overseas. We sorted out at least half of the candy and dropped it off, with no arguments. Even DS12 agreed it was best to cut back on the candy and up the healthy snacks, given all the germs around. I generally let the kids eat as much candy as they want, since the gluttony usually lasts about a week only, but this year they finally seem to "get it." DD17 really hasn't eaten much candy at all since she was diagnosed with her nut allergy (although we do treat her occasionally to an order from Vermont Nut Free chocolate). And DS15 gets the connection between athletic performance and what he puts in his body, and he's had success in the sports he plays so he figures he's doing something right, nutritionally.
And I do remember when growing up there were always some kids around who weren't ever allowed candy or soda or cookies. They seemed to be the ones who used their lunch money to buy junk instead of lunch at school. And while I know the junk is everywhere today, and the kids (at least in elementary school) have so many occasions in school for candy/parties/etc. (which used to drive me crazy), I think banning everything doesn't teach a child to make good decisions. They have to understand the connection between what they put in their mouths and the effect it may have on their body or even their moods. Because eventually, they will be exposed to situations where they have to make the choice of what to eat or not eat. Arming a child with the knowledge of what to choose and when is infinitely better, I think, than never having exposed them to that choice at all.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
H1N1 Vaccine Frustration...and Saturday Random
Yesterday's flu hotline at the pediatrician's office said there would be a limited amount of H1N1 injectable vaccine distributed today from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. I looked at our schedule and realized we could swing it--the kids could skip two activities for this. So I piled everyone in the car around 9:30 a.m. and made the 10 minute trek to the doctor's office in hopes of being first in line.
Silly me. We couldn't even get into the parking lot. The line of people stretched from the door all around the lot...I couldn't even see the end. I can't even begin to imagine what time the line started forming. I just know I don't have it in me to wait for several hours without any guarantee of getting a shot. So we drove on by.
I'm guessing the hysteria is fueled by the news yesterday that a local school (not ours) was shutting down all next week because of extreme absenteeism due to flu-like symptoms. Really, I don't know who to believe any more....the news about all the parents against the vaccine, or the news about such extreme shortage that even healthy adults are snagging shots when they can ("cheater" stories are starting to make news). I *may* call at the tail end of the clinic and see if by chance there's anything left, but I highly doubt it.
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The weekend schedule involves lots of outdoor activities, and the weather should cooperate. The change back to standard time tomorrow makes daylight all the more precious, so I'm happy to have us all out and about when we can. It'll be dark tomorrow by 4:30, which is depressing. The flip side is that it will be light at 6:45 a.m. when the older kids catch the bus, thank goodness.
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I'm wondering if my community is in some kind of time warp when it comes to Halloween. I don't really remember trick or treating past a certain age (maybe 13 or so). But here, even the older teenagers go out, usually in costume. On one hand, I'm glad they're not too cool to consider it and that, contrary to popular belief, kids aren't growing up too fast (at least in this regard) but on the other hand, it's a little creepy when a pack of tall kids with facial hair comes to the door. Regardless, they are always polite.
Silly me. We couldn't even get into the parking lot. The line of people stretched from the door all around the lot...I couldn't even see the end. I can't even begin to imagine what time the line started forming. I just know I don't have it in me to wait for several hours without any guarantee of getting a shot. So we drove on by.
I'm guessing the hysteria is fueled by the news yesterday that a local school (not ours) was shutting down all next week because of extreme absenteeism due to flu-like symptoms. Really, I don't know who to believe any more....the news about all the parents against the vaccine, or the news about such extreme shortage that even healthy adults are snagging shots when they can ("cheater" stories are starting to make news). I *may* call at the tail end of the clinic and see if by chance there's anything left, but I highly doubt it.
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The weekend schedule involves lots of outdoor activities, and the weather should cooperate. The change back to standard time tomorrow makes daylight all the more precious, so I'm happy to have us all out and about when we can. It'll be dark tomorrow by 4:30, which is depressing. The flip side is that it will be light at 6:45 a.m. when the older kids catch the bus, thank goodness.
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I'm wondering if my community is in some kind of time warp when it comes to Halloween. I don't really remember trick or treating past a certain age (maybe 13 or so). But here, even the older teenagers go out, usually in costume. On one hand, I'm glad they're not too cool to consider it and that, contrary to popular belief, kids aren't growing up too fast (at least in this regard) but on the other hand, it's a little creepy when a pack of tall kids with facial hair comes to the door. Regardless, they are always polite.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Waiting for the Shot
Daily calls to the pediatrician's flu hotline haven't yielded any new information, nor any H1N1 shots. It looks like last week's vaccine shipment was all they'll get this month (which is almost over). At this point, I'm hoping the schools get the vaccine first. I don't think I can face another flu clinic with all the surrounding hysteria. What ever happened to the sizable percentage of people who don't trust the vaccine and won't get it for their kids? Now it seems everyone wants one, but perhaps we're just being played by the media and that's the group that's getting the air time. Or, as one television commentator put it, there's nothing like a shortage to cause demand.
Meanwhile, the number of absent students in local schools continues to rise. DS12 tells me that he heard from a teacher that once a certain number is reached, his school will close, and they are almost at that number. But I'm not convinced it's just H1N1...DS12 had an upper respiratory virus this past week, so that's going around too.
He's better, but I think he may be cooking a sinus infection. At the advice of his doctor, I will keep him on Flovent for two weeks, or even longer, at least until he can get the shot. I'm certainly no asthma expert since his is so sporadic and just diagnosed two years ago, but I do feel it's better to keep his lungs as clear as possible during this time.
Meanwhile, the number of absent students in local schools continues to rise. DS12 tells me that he heard from a teacher that once a certain number is reached, his school will close, and they are almost at that number. But I'm not convinced it's just H1N1...DS12 had an upper respiratory virus this past week, so that's going around too.
He's better, but I think he may be cooking a sinus infection. At the advice of his doctor, I will keep him on Flovent for two weeks, or even longer, at least until he can get the shot. I'm certainly no asthma expert since his is so sporadic and just diagnosed two years ago, but I do feel it's better to keep his lungs as clear as possible during this time.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
H1N1 Clinic Update
We didn't go after all. I called and spoke to a triage nurse about DS12. The nurse thought he shouldn't get a flu shot with a sore throat. And the older two kids had activities/practices late. They didn't want to go sit in a clinic without a guarantee they'd get a shot. The nurse did say she thought it would be packed.
The evening news, coincidentally, did a piece on H1N1 vaccine shortages everywhere. Production is lagging and states are having to put off flu clinics. Hopefully we didn't miss the boat by skipping the clinic. Well, sometimes these things work out for the best. Maybe I don't want my kids to be first in line for a shot, just in case.
DS12, however, is feeling great today and went off to school. That was a quick cold, thank goodness.
The evening news, coincidentally, did a piece on H1N1 vaccine shortages everywhere. Production is lagging and states are having to put off flu clinics. Hopefully we didn't miss the boat by skipping the clinic. Well, sometimes these things work out for the best. Maybe I don't want my kids to be first in line for a shot, just in case.
DS12, however, is feeling great today and went off to school. That was a quick cold, thank goodness.
Monday, October 19, 2009
H1N1 Clinic
Our pediatrician will be holding an H1N1 clinic tomorrow night. The recorded message said there was limited injectable vaccine but plenty of flu-mist vaccine. First come first serve. I might try running the kids over, but DS12 came home from school today with a sore throat. I'll have to see how he feels in the morning. I'll probably call the pediatrician to ask if a cold (likely) with no fever is a reason to not get the vaccine.
Of course, the thought has crossed my mind that he might have H1N1, and the sore throat is the start. We'll see. He's known in our house as "the carrier."
Here's another article advocating the shot. I like these. They counteract the hysterical, anti-vaccine crowd. I'm 99% certain the vaccine is a Good Thing. We don't like illness in this house, and I'd rather "risk" the vaccine than risk getting H1N1, especially with one kid with asthma. And DD17 has not been very "sick" at all for the last five years, believe it or not.
Of course, the thought has crossed my mind that he might have H1N1, and the sore throat is the start. We'll see. He's known in our house as "the carrier."
Here's another article advocating the shot. I like these. They counteract the hysterical, anti-vaccine crowd. I'm 99% certain the vaccine is a Good Thing. We don't like illness in this house, and I'd rather "risk" the vaccine than risk getting H1N1, especially with one kid with asthma. And DD17 has not been very "sick" at all for the last five years, believe it or not.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Mixed Messages on the H1N1 Flu
A neighbor's pediatrician told her she would not recommend the H1N1 flu shot to her patients. I find this very confusing, as my pediatrician does recommend them and will even give them to her own children. I wish everyone was on the same page because it would make these decisions easier. I haven't heard of any adverse reactions to the vaccine in trials, but who knows what may crop up when many, many schoolchildren are inoculated.
It may be a moot point around here, as DD17 said a classmate has been confirmed to have the H1N1 flu. Supposedly she *was* tested for it, and has been out of school ever since. She is an athlete and I suspect if it was going to spread, it would spread to her team first. We'll see what happens next. I keep reminding myself that for most people, it's just the flu, as uncomfortable as that is. For most people, it will not be a life-threatening illness. I need to get back to that place where I just accept what comes, because control is always an illusion.
It may be a moot point around here, as DD17 said a classmate has been confirmed to have the H1N1 flu. Supposedly she *was* tested for it, and has been out of school ever since. She is an athlete and I suspect if it was going to spread, it would spread to her team first. We'll see what happens next. I keep reminding myself that for most people, it's just the flu, as uncomfortable as that is. For most people, it will not be a life-threatening illness. I need to get back to that place where I just accept what comes, because control is always an illusion.
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