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
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.
Sorry, Dave. You did answer my question.
As for my second question, I think it is best if the Health Department has the authority to prioritize distribution of vaccines and other public health needs. Under any given circumstance they can determine if it is best to serve all children before any adults.
They are also in a better position to determine if it is best to prioritize first responders and others who may come in close contact with the general public. If the schools are given the authority, they are expected to innoculate ALL the children before anyone else gets served, regardless of risk.
I think the Health Department may have made a mistake in this instance by handing the responsibility over to the schools from the get go.
I think part of the problem for everyone is that there is still no real clarity on who the "high risk" people are outside of the obvious (compromised immune systems).
Back in October and earlier the government said it was so dangerous that they were ordering 190+ million vaccinations that would be ready in October. Giving the impression that we were all at risk. While 190 million can't vaccinate everyone, it would most likely give a chance at achieving herd immunity.
It seems since the government has failed at getting the amount of vaccines they have said they were getting in that time frame, that they have downplayed the threat of this disease.
Having said that, the uncertainty of a situation is going to lead to a lot of miscommunication, misinformation...etc etc.
Right now the Swine Flu fact sheet on the Seekonk Board of Health page is so out of date that it states there is no vaccine for the H1N1 virus. They should at the very least, update that and place whatever the CDC or the DOH is stating are the people who need the vaccine the most.
I am so-o-o-o wild. I just heard that the response to the open clinic was slow and they had a good bit of unused vaccine on hand. Some people older than 24 said they had seen the clinic advertised as open to all ages, so they got the shot. Some saw it advertised as only up to 18 or 24 years old only. Apparently calls went out to police, fire and town employees to come get the vaccine if they wanted it so it would not go to waste.
In hindsight, wouldn't it have been better for the Seekonk BOH to have compiled a waiting list and have it on hand with names and phone numbers of adults who wanted the vaccine, so they could call those residents and get at least some of them over there?
This lack of leadership and communication is appalling.
On the web, Wal-green's is showing that they have the H1N1 vaccine in their RI stores. I'm going to try the North Attleboro clinic first and then try Wal-green's if NA runs out on Sat.
From the Chronicle: Check before driving to NA on Sat:
Quote:
NORTH ATTLEBORO - The health department is keeping an eye on the weather and will make a decision today about whether to postpone Saturday's H1N1 and seasonal flu prevention clinic due to the snowstorm.
"Saturday's weather is expected to be at least 'messy,' but we're hoping it won't be so bad as to require cancellation of the flu clinic in its entirety that day," said Health Agent Bob Davis.
Davis said that the health department will check the forecast and make a final decision on whether the flu clinic should be postponed by close of business on Thursday.
Weather permitting, the clinic will be held on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Attleboro High School.
Anyone 6-months of age or older will be able to receive H1N1 vaccine free of charge while supplies last. In addition, a limited amount of seasonal flu vaccine will also be available to Massachusetts residents at the clinic. For this year's clinic, North Attleboro's Health Department has enough H1N1 vaccine for more than 1,000 flu shots. The flu clinic will also serve as a training exercise to test the community's preparedness plans for a large scale public health emergency.
As a result, volunteers from the Bristol-Norfolk Medical Reserve Corps and the community will be assisting to keep the clinic running quickly and courteously.
Additional information on the H1N1 and seasonal flu, flu prevention efforts, or flu clinics elsewhere in Massachusetts is available on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Web site at www.mass.gov/dph or by calling 866-627-7968.
The Sun Chronicle will post an announcement on its Web site once a decision about the status of the clinic is made by the town's health department.
All vaccines will be provided at the upcoming clinic free of charge to all Seekonk Residents. The seasonal flu vaccine for residents 18 years of age and older.
No appointments are necessary for this clinic. Please park in the back lot and come in where the banquet rooms are.
Vaccination is the most effective way to protect you and your loved one for the flu.
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