FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/7/2009 12:29:51 AM)

Lets see. The N1H1 sprang upon the world in March-April. It takes 6 month to make a flu vaccine. Just about right on time as I see it. Would have been sooner if the manufacturer had not received a bad batch of eggs in which produce the vaccine. The government was prepared, private industy just dropped the ball on their end.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/7/2009 1:00:30 AM)

That's right. They just ask the question and you answer in the affirmative. I did it myself a couple of years ago. And later I felt bad about it. But my son does have a legitimate medical condition that has precipated 4 emergency room visits so far this year. This puts him at risk of serious complications. I'm not doing my child any good if I get the virus and pass it on to him.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/7/2009 1:15:20 AM)

But if I go down with the virus, how does he get to school? How do I keep the lights, water, gas, on? He might be 15 but, he's still just a pup that chases balls into the street. And he wants to drive. Man that's more scary than the risk of catching the flu.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/7/2009 1:50:10 AM)

Yes of course and you wonder about those things. It's more of a moral dilemma trying to understand the best way of dealing with acquiring the shot. They are available to anyone who wants them. The shot for children is very different than the one for adults. Also, any adult can acquire the shot by visiting their doctors office. There are several visiting nurse association locations giving the shot. Walgreen's and other pharmacies are also giving the shot. The one thing all these places have in common is that they charge money to get vaccinated. So I don't see the shortage. The only shortage I see is with the health department where they give it for free. But if you got cash, there is no shortage in Tulsa. I wonder why that is. Why is the shot readily available for pay, but in short supply for the poor or those with limited income? I just don't see the shortage unless you have to rely on the free public health agencies for the shot. Money talks. And those shot for money places have more than they can administer. So morally, shouldn't the shot for pay locations divert their supply to the health agencies that supply it for free to the public? I'm getting it and getting it tomorrow. Because in th end, when there really is a shortage. It will still be available if you have the money to pay.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/7/2009 8:03:46 PM)

I took myself an son to the Health department vaccine clinic today. I must say, see other post in different article, it was a smooth process and well organized. The gave us the choice between the "live virus" which takes effects immediately with full immunity within 72 hours, and the inactive virus which takes 10-14 days. we both choose the "live virus" nasal spray. So far no problems, though my son said my eyes were turninga bit egg yoke yellow. But I still see fine. But really, I'm personally glad we got it. And I feel confident I made the right decision to do so.

Elusive, the burbs (11/7/2009 12:47:29 AM)

They don't say how people are suppose to prove they have a chronic illness. Are they just going to take your word for it? If so, many people could lie, get the vaccine and leave those vulnerable without the shot because there is not enough to go around.

Elusive, the burbs (11/7/2009 1:09:11 AM)

I understand that Future, if you have one person in the household that is vulnerable but if that one person is vaccinated then they shouldn't have to worry about it.

Elusive, the burbs (11/7/2009 1:17:56 AM)

It's the same problem everyone would have that is a parent. There is only so much to go around. Wouldn't you feel bad if your neighbor child with asthma died because adults cheated and got the vaccine and he/she didn't?

Elusive, the burbs (11/7/2009 3:59:32 AM)

I don't know. I haven't checked with my doctor's office to see if they have it. I haven't heard that was the case but I will check with mine.

fcol, (11/7/2009 5:47:42 AM)

My existing health condition puts me in one of the early vaccination categories.
We got our seasonal vax last week at the VNA.
While there, I asked about the H1N1 vaccine and was told that they aren't going to have it.

We also called Walgreens and were told that they wouldn't have any until sometime in December.

I have no intention of being vaccinated by our health department, so I'll just wait until if and when it's available elsewhere.

papajohn, henryetta (11/6/2009 6:48:41 AM)

H1N1 vacine withheld from citizens 64 an older, some trumped up thing that they have SOME immunety to this new flu, I say it is just a good exapmle of the way the GOV. is planning to take care of its senior citizens.

reckless abandon, Tulsa (11/6/2009 1:05:13 PM)

Thanks Lizzy--well said. As more vaccine becomes available, more will be immunized. The GOVERNMENT is not in control on this issue--the vaccine manufacturers are--you know big Pharma that the conservatives want protected.

ditto, (11/5/2009 10:36:48 AM)

Are these actual swine flu cases or just the flu? I was told they are not even testing for the swine flu anymore but just the flu and if it comes back + for type A, saying it is the swine flu.

taj1958, Henryetta (11/6/2009 7:55:20 AM)

They don't have enough vaccine for this virus,PEOPLE ARE DIEING from this disease.The Health Departments are giving it to people in certain age groups,why others get this virus and end up sick or dieing.How many deaths is it going to take before the GOVERNMENT WAKES-UP!!!!!
People over 64 years of age are at risk too.

OKIE MEDIC, (11/5/2009 12:18:13 PM)

ditto,
Since the regular flu season has come about yet, people are assumed to have the swine flu if they test positive for type A flu as it is from this strain. However, they will specifically test for the swine flu in cases where one has become critically ill or die. As the H1N1 first made its entrance to our state, the health agency quickly found themselves overloaded and unable to test each of the thousands of specimens.

Aggie, (11/6/2009 10:29:00 PM)

What the government should have done was to be prepared. They knew this was coming 6 months ago! Government cannot even manage a vaccine program. It is amazing that anyone thinks government can manage our entire health care system. If you find the waiting time is unacceptable for H1N1 vaccine, then you are really going to be upset with Obamacare.

lizzy, Tulsa (11/6/2009 9:40:01 AM)

taj1958, what exactly would you like the government to do? The vaccine manufacturers are going as fast as they can--turns out H1N1 grows much differently in the fertilized eggs than other flu viruses do, and there was no way to know that before they began the process. In the meantime, the available vaccine is being distributed to the people most at risk.

papajohn, paranoid much? I'm not able to get the H1N1 vaccine, either, but I don't assume it's because the government wants to kill me. Senior citizens are so used to being first in line for flu shots that they're not thinking objectively--THIS flu is more dangerous for kids and pregnant women, so of course they should be first in line this time.