H1N1 Vaccine craziness

[Sara Broers]

Ok~ This Mom is trying to understand when/how some people will ever get vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine. I know there are thousands of people that want the vaccine, but are unable to, due to supply issues. A recent dilemma brought to my attention- In our community, caregivers of infants under six months old have qualified for special clinics. But, should that caregiver be over 49 years old, have asthma, or have a cold- they will have to be vaccinated at a later date. Therefore, I'm sure many that would like to protect their newborns, are simply unable to. Another scenario that I recently learned of: Dad was able to be vaccinated, Mom was not due to dry throat, and 3 year old brother was unable to receive the vaccine. This 3 year old, that lives in the home, with a four month old, cannot get the vaccine because he does not go to daycare and does not have a chronic health condition. So, the Dr. recommends- Keep him home, do not take him anywhere! Ok- this three year old is pretty much housebound- no YMCA activities, trips to the grocery store, nor Sunday School. Not sure what the solution is, but what on earth is a family to do? Our county is following the guidelines put out by the CDC, which are pretty self explanatory, as it makes sense that people with chronic health conditions should receive the vaccine first- But, hello? Did I not read that President Obama's daughters received the vaccine? I'm a little perplexed, people in many communities all over the country, with chronic health conditions are still not able to get this vaccine and healthy kids/adults are getting this vaccine! Oh, and how on earth are kids supposed to get their second dose, when many won't have had their first dose? What a mess? This Mom is glad that her kids are healthy, older, and will (cross my fingers) survive this nuisance flu should it hit here! I wonder what could have been done differently, but I'm just a Mom, so we will wait and see!

[Sara Broers]

Our county health department has been distributing the vaccine. Several that have tried to get the vaccine have been turned away, as they have ran out or did not meet the qualifications. They have to be caregivers to infants (6 months and under) or a child that has a medical condition. I would think that sometime soon they would be getting to the general public or adults with underlying medical conditions. I have also started taking Vit C, as well as the whole family. We started that about a month ago. I figured that it sure couldn't hurt to give it a try!

[Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway]

Hi Sara. Your county health departments should have received a supply from CDC even if the private physicians haven't. You're right about your kids. They're probably safe. I personally give my children 500 mg of Vit C each day to boost their immunity.