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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

So Where's the Vaccine????

I feel like a two-bit hooker when I call my doctor every few days to see if the H1N1 vaccine is in yet;  it isn't.  The assure me that I'm not bothering them and to continue calling, but they're dealing with lots of sick people and I don't want to take them away from their work.  Meanwhile our older grand daughter has just been diagnosed with a mild case of the virus.  Still scary though as we brace to see if it goes through the rest of the family.  I understand the priority list:  pregnant women (for some reason H1N1 is often fatal when contracted by women in the third trimester), small children, health care workers, aged, then people with chronic diseases.  This only makes sense.  Rumor has it, though,  that a lot of the vaccine is going to prisons. I hope that's not true.  Protection of prison personnel is necessary; protection of prisoners -- that just angers me.  

A laudable decision was made to innoculate all the students in our 12 county high schools -- about 150,000 kids -- a significant number in our community.  This should help, while the rest of us continue to wash our hands, stay home when we're sick, and use lots of Clorox wipes.  Meanwhile, I'm still calling the doctor...

13 comments:

Cheryl said...

I'm impressed that the HC high schools got the vaccine. Not in my county. I just saw an ad in Food Lion to sign up for it. I'm stopping by today to see what the deal is. Or maybe tomorrow. Maybe the monsoon will have abated a bit.

bettyC said...

Students at HCC go it too

bettyC said...

...that is got it...

Purple Flowers said...

Kathy: I agree w/your opinion, especially if prisoners are getting the vaccine. I want to believe it's the personnel ONLY. I hope your daughter is feeling better. She's in my thoughts. Take Care, and use the Clorox wipes - I do.

Jay said...

Walgreens advertises that they have it. Or is that the seasonal flu shot? Anyway, some insurance companies won't cover it unless you get it from your doctor.

Also, in NYC they got their supply of H1N1 vaccine and gave most of it to Wall Street firms instead of the schools.

TAG said...

Kathy,

Relax. You and I are in an age group that has little to nothing to worry about when it comes to H1N1.

My doctor is one of those who insists on the regular flu shot for all his "high risk group" patients. Some complain then he counters with having never lost a patient to a flu shot and having lots many to the flu.

He tells me that those over 50 have no worries when it comes to H1N1. Few contract it, and those who do find it quite mild.

Hope that helps with some piece of mind.

TAG

PS: Got your list ready?

Anonymous said...

KT had the Swine Flu (I just like the way that sounds so much better than H1N1. Mimi had to get her drama from somewhere!) and so far nobody else in the family has. So it's a good chance the rest of you will stay healthy.

I hope your grandbaby gets better soon.

Gilly said...

Tis a nasty thing! My daughter has had it - not to be recommended!

Keep well, Kathy!

Unknown said...

There was a report on 60 Minutes about vaccines last Sunday or the Sunday before. It was mostly about the flu vaccine. But it said that generally they don't have as much of any vaccine as was initially reported. That's pretty scary. And if true I definitely hope they aren't giving it to prisoners - what's so special about them?

I hope your grand daughter is feeling better. Be careful =o)

Kell said...

I hope your grand daughter's case stays mild and short. We've had huge lines at the different clinics in town giving out the shot. I still need to get the regular flu shot, but I don't think I'm going to get the H1N1. No kids, not around kids, not pregnant. I do have MS, but my doctor isn't insisting I get it, saying it's my choice. I love how they cover their butts that way. But I'm not in a high-risk category, so I'll probably pass. Hope you're able to get it soon.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I'm supposed to be keeping watch for the vaccine (per my allergist), but I haven't been. I've heard the reports about its scarcity.

I hope your granddaughter recovers soon and easily.

Patty said...

It seemed like the shot was all the talk here for about two weeks, then it just died out. I am not sure if the flu has turned out not to be as bad as they thought at first of if the lack of the vaccine is keeping the news quiet. Either way I do find myself being more cautious. I have started using more germ killer at work and wiping down when I have a customer with a cough.
My daughter who is 7 months pregnant did get the shot as did her 4 year old son, so I am glad that I don't have to worry as much about them.
I hope your daughter is well soon and that you can get the shot if you feel you need it.
Take care

Jamie said...

Yes, I heard that prisoners are getting the vaccine, too. Interesting, really. While the rest of us wait...

You sound good. I hope that the virus hasn't invaded the rest of your family.

Have a happy weekend. Hugs. :)