10/6/09

Never happier to be stuck!

With a needle that is!

In my line of work as an Elementary School Secretary and unofficial nurse, the flu shot is essential. Add in the fact I have an auto-immune disease and it's an absolute must.

I was supposed to get it last week at Walgreens, they had Dr authorisation and then I got sick. So when I could finally get there, they informed me they were out of vaccine and weren't getting anymore this year! In fact our whole county is a completely vaccine free zone, with no definite date for shipments.

I thought I'd just stick it out until the end of the month, but then things changed today. A neighbouring school where I live had 20 out yesterday with flu, a school 50 miles away has 2 confirmed H1N1 cases and we had 3 out with flu symptoms.

So I took a 1/2 day to make a 200 mile round trip to the only known Walgreens in our part of the state with any shots left! And they advised me I would be getting one of the last few shots they had. I have to say I was very happy to make the effort and am relieved I now have some protection.

On the bright side, a good friend went with me today and we turned it into a fun retail therapy trip too!

Now I have to decide whether to have the H1N1 shot, as I will be in the high risk group and offered it soon, right now I think I'll go ahead. So have you made more of an effort to get the flu shot this year and what are your thoughts on the H1N1 vaccine?

14 comments:

Sherri said...

Glad you were able to find the vaccine! My youngest daughter is a school photographer and she'll be getting the shot too!

Daryl said...

Every year I get both flu and pneumonia shots, I will get them this year too but I think I am one of the people who is old enough to be exempt from the N1H1 flu since I was exposed to it on its last go-round in the 80s... BUT if I was eligible, I would definitely get it .. better IMO to be safe

Sassy Britches said...

Funny you should ask that today! I actually just made a 200 mile round trip (but not as desperate as yours) jaunt to get my flu shot yesterday. I work for our state university, and I was told that staff could get the shot at the health clinic on campus for free. So, I go there yesterday, and they informed me (ONCE I GOT THERE) that they were telling staff that they should go through their regular healthcare provider because they have a limited supply and were saving it for the college students. Pfffffttt. Thanks a heap.

But, yes, I will be getting the shot. H1N1, not sure, but regular flu definitely.

Brown English Muffin said...

still very skeptical after the 70's fiasco.

Gaelyn said...

Have never gotten a flu shot, but after my bout with the flu this spring I'll be thinking more seriously about it.

Silverback said...

Well thanks to the much critisised NHS I'm getting my flu shot on 18th and it'll involve a 200 yd trip as opposed to 200 miles as my docs is close by.

Get one every year as I'm in a high risk group. Free too of course.

Anonymous said...

So far we haven't had the flu shots - glad you were able to get yours, though.

Kay said...

Oh yes! I got the flu and the shingles shot. I finally qualified. You have to be 60 to get the shingles vaccine. I will get the H1N1 shot when it is available. They've said it's the same risk as getting a regular flu shot that we don't think anything about getting.

Anonymous said...

To be honest I haven't really thought about the vaccine even though I know it is available. I've never been in favour of needles but I'll see what transpires over time.

CJ xx

Jo, a retired teacher said...

Itis too bad you had such trouble finding an available flu shot. As a matter of fact, hubby and I each got flu shots two days ago--we do every year. It is a small thing and I haven't even had a bad cold for several years (maybe since retired from teaching). My doctor son calls schools giant petrie dishes so you definitely needed the shot.

We're also thinking about the H1N1 shot....maybe. You are at lots bigger risk, you should probably get that too.

Bella Foxx said...

I get a flu shot every year. I am also in one of those high risk groups. I haven't gotten really sick with the flu since I started.

I haven't decided about the N1H1 shot. Not old enough for the pneumonia shot yet.

pam said...

Not me. John got one of the regular flu shots. I don't go out of my way for them myself. But I don't work around kids either! I'm one of those that think the vaccinations might have harmful chemicals in them and might cause as much problems as the flu itself. Certainly, if I had a small child, I would investigate ways to do those hcildhood vacs' in a different way.

Jill of All Trades said...

Hmmm, now I'm worried that I haven't had my shot. I have a regular doc visit next week and had planned on getting it there but now I'm worried. Think I'll call and if not should be able to get it at the local grocery store today, I HOPE! Good luck.

fillyjonk said...

I was concerned about the H1N1 vaccine at first, but everything I've read about it seems to suggest that it's most likely as safe as the seasonal flu shot.

Personally, I'd get it if I could. But I'm not in a high-risk-enough group (despite being an educator and having low-level asthma), so I'm washing my hands a lot and hoping and praying that my sick students stay home.

That said: I'd rather see the limited supply of H1N1 vaccine go to the people who'd really be in serious danger if they got sick. If I did, I'd probably be miserable and might wind up with asthmatic bronchitis again, but I'd recover.