I was asked advice whether I thought my grandkids should be vaccinated. From what I have read and heard, the area schools are trying to get a head count.
Any thoughts, since I did not feel secure in going this one alone
So what happened to all the parental permission notices that were sent home by the schools in September/October? I grappled with giving my advice regarding my grandchildren! Have parents been made aware of the change in procedure and venue? Or are the kids once again going to be used as pawns in the "Us vs Them" warfare?
Those slips became irrelevant when the health Dept. took over. One can presume they have their own forms. If you scroll up you will see that parents were notified back in November. Not sure what else the school department could do besides notify all parents of the change and direct them where to go.
Terry glad to see the one in NA is open to all and you don't have to book an appointment.
I would like to know the formula for allocating H1N1 vaccine in MA. Apparently many physicians in some parts of the state have it and there is a low demand. N.Attleboro, whose population is about double that of Seekonk, claims to have a good enough supply to vaccinate ANYONE, not even requiring MA residency.
I doubt Seekonk is sitting on a secret supply so how is it that we don't have enough to vaccinate even high-risk 18-24 and adults yet?
To me, this is a foreshadowing of allocating health care through a national system and for Seekonk I don't see it working well. I am also quite ticked off about my RI Primary care dr. who could not give me the vaccine because I am not a RI resident. Those Dept of Health rules should be changed; if you are a patient of a RI pediatrician or internist and they have the vaccine, then you should be able to receive it. And vice versa for RI patients of MA drs.
The same thing happened about 10 years ago when there was a shortage of tetanus and our RI dr. had it but would not dispense to a Seekonk child even though required for school.
After all, we work and shop all the time in RI. If we have the flu and cough or sneeze, those germs don't care where their new victims live.
I think the issue was aggravated by the lack of shots. If the structure, plan, and quantity for the clinics were available like was offered in RI then I don't think we would have the natural tension of a parent being unable to get a shot for their child.
My understanding is the Health Dept. did not like the lottery system for non-critical students. With only a fraction of the shots needed some sort of system needed to be implemented. The HD implemented their own system and that is where things are at the moment.
The lottery would have afforded the flexibility needed as different quantities arrived. The HD method waits until enough shots have been gathered and then a date is set.
As a parent I would want the shot sooner than later and I do not think shots should be sitting unused until a designated date. With a lottery if 25 shots came in they could be adminstered the next day, etc.
I agree that a lottery to dispense shots when only a small lot comes in is better than holding back the vaccine until enough comes in for everyone, especially when you are talking about the entire school population.
Does anyone know what Art Foulkes is talking about on his cable show, where he is claiming that a Seekonk school nurse gave a H1N1 vaccine, intended for a child, to an administrator? He was extremely agitated about it and really gunning for this nurse.
Terry, I also watched Art Foulkes. If Mrs Bostian has a problem with what he accused her of doing, NOW is the time to write a letter to the editor.
Dave, I know many parents want their children to get that shot. But I have heard that once the health department took over, first responders were moved to the top of the list. As an East Providence police officer, did you receive yours from that city?
For future reference the HD should have continued using the Schools as their method for communicating with the town on when and where and how to get the vaccines. Posting notices in newspapers that...let's be frank...hardly anyone reads...is not going to get the word out to concerned parents.
I don't really have an opinion on who had the better plan (SD or HD) but the school department wins the communication award hands down, and that is probably the most important aspect when it comes to public health issues.
For future reference the HD should have continued using the Schools as their method for communicating with the town on when and where and how to get the vaccines. Posting notices in newspapers that...let's be frank...hardly anyone reads...is not going to get the word out to concerned parents.
I don't really have an opinion on who had the better plan (SD or HD) but the school department wins the communication award hands down, and that is probably the most important aspect when it comes to public health issues.
I think if you were to ask people who do not have children in the school system they would disagree with you, hands down.
Obviously, the school department should be utilized to get information to as many citizens as possible. But not all citizens have children in the public schools.
Keeping this in mind, the health department should be proactive in this age of information to create a message alert system.
SEEKONK BOARD OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES AN H1N1 FLU CLINIC FOR SEEKONK RESIDENTS ONLY
The Seekonk Board of Health will have an HIN1 Flu clinic on Tuesday December 29, 2009, from 12:30pm until the vaccine runs out. Please do not arrive early, you will not be allowed into the clinic prior to 12:30pm. .
The criteria for obtaining an H1N1 flu vaccine at this clinic are as follows:
You must between the ages of 4-24 Children ages 4-9 who need a second vaccine (must bring proof of vaccine 28 days prior to 29th of December
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
THERE IS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF VACCINE AVAILABLE
The clinic will take place at Johnson & Wales 213 Taunton Avenue, Seekonk, MA
If you have any questions you can contact the Seekonk Board of Health at 508-336-2950.
Dave, I know many parents want their children to get that shot. But I have heard that once the health department took over, first responders were moved to the top of the list. As an East Providence police officer, did you receive yours from that city?
Interesting question. I only was notified 2 days ago of two clinics for 1st responders and both are over the holiday week. Why I find this interesting is that I worked two H1N1 clinics as security and was informed that the people administering the shot had not been vaccinated I would have thought that at least they would get the first doses since they were exposed to all of the kids.
On communications- I think it is a given that the SD would be in the best position to administer to the school population. The HD would be in a better position to handle those outside of the schools (adults, college).
Whoa...I just re-read that latest posting from the HD- does this mean the appointment idea is quashed??? The way that reads there is no structure- everyone piles in before the shots run out.....please tell me I am mis-reading this!
The ones I worked had it broken down over each hour by age so that there was order.
I don't know if you answered my question, Dave. Did you or were you offered the H1n1 vaccine through the East Prov PD? And wouldn't you agree that a state should give authority to local health departments regarding such health issues?.
As for your second posting, I believe there are appointments prior to the 12:30PM open clinic. That is why they specify that anyone who did not sign up should not arrive prior to 12:30. After that time, vaccines are first come first serve.
I did answer your question- I stated that I was only notified 2 days ago that I could now get the shot as a 1st responder. It would be through Miriam and I do not know which responders are included in the group, besides EPPD. I do not know if 1st responders in Mass have their shots yet.
I need clarification on the second statement- state giving control to local Health Boards- I was under the impression that this is already how it works? In RI it was organized by the state and run through the schools.
Calendar
H1n1 vaccine
I would have thought that at least they would get the first doses since they were exposed to all of the kids.
