This morning I went to my county's health center to get swine flu vaccines for myself and Jared (we are both in the high-risk category right now.) We got there as early as we possibly could, but the line was SOOOOOOO long. Hundreds and hundreds of people snaked around in a covered parking garage; I couldn't even find the end of the line. I bet it was going to be a 3-4 hour wait. Maybe all those other parents in line had angelic children, but I know for sure that MY little 2-year-old wouldn't have had very much fun waiting that long. My question is, "Is it really worth it?"
My husband has been making several phone calls a week to several doctors' clinics to see about swine flu vaccine availability, and they all say that they will get the vaccine in at the end of October or beginning of November, if they get it in at all. At least where I live, it only seems to be available at the County Health Department, and only on certain days.
So, are we all just paranoid about getting swine flu, or is it a real worry?
8 comments:
the jury is out for me on this one... we actually got one at the county building and it took less than an hour for us. It takes 8-10 for the antibodies to develop, so you basically have to have your whole family hunker down for a week or so until you're no longer in danger of being exposed.
I don't know that it's any more dangerous than regular flu bugs, it's just the concern that it might turn to pneumonia... so like I said, even though we got one (but didn't get the regular flu one because our doctor and the county ran out), I definitely wouldn't wait for 4 hours. We may get another strain that's just as dangerous anyway. How's that for positive thinking :)
Well, I personally know at least half a dozen people who have had the swine flu now. It's definitely out there and it's definitely going around. But if you do get it you're not going to die, you will probably just be sick like you have the regular flu for 4 to 7 days. I guess you have to decide how much you hate having the flu. More than you hate standing in line for four hours? (For me - no way! I never would have waited in a line that long!) I guess you have to make the call to decide if the vaccine is worth it or not.
No fun!
I am having the same problem. The only place that has had the actual vaccine is the health department. They had a clinic on Saturday. People waited in line since 11:00 pm the night before to get it. I am not willing to do that. I could get sick waiting in cold for that long! 8,000 people in line with only 1,700 vaccines didn't work out anyhow.
A few weeks ago Will, Jeff and I stood in a SUPER long line at the Health Dept on Provo for our H1N1 shot. It was a really long wait but I think it was worth it. Maybe I'm one of those paranoid people, but I already know quite a few people in our neighborhood who have had the swine flu. I definitely think it's a good idea. By the way, we can't wait to see you next week :)
you're in the high risk category? Are you expecting???!!!
No fun! Since you're expecting, I think it would be worth it, but that's my paranoid opinion. I just had Marianne get the vac yesterday. (it was unavailable here in Evanston for a while too!)
I have an appointment to get mine today. I've wondered, too. But I don't have to wait in lines so I figured I may as well get it...
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