Flu Vaccines.... What a problem!

NurseFirst · Nov 13, 2004

Well, the ol' bug season is here, and sooo many people in my community are in search of the flu vaccine with no luck what so ever to get any. I am now in home health and have so many elderly people how could benefit and have none to offer in any clinic or doctor's office. I guess the only good thing is that they are homebound reducing their risk for exposure.
How is the flu vaccines going in your community?

Unfortunately, I haven't seen anyone changing how they are giving flu vaccines, after the information that SQ and ID doses a fraction of the IM doses have been just as effective. (You can read the articles on the New England Journal of Medicine site.)

NurseFirst

glascow · Nov 13, 2004

We can't get the vaccine anywhere! The hospital I work even ran out and many employees (including myself) were not vaccinated.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Nov 13, 2004

we had a bad thing for awhile, people waiting in lines at kroger, b/c for some reason the grocery store pharmacy got vaccinations, but some dr's offices didn't. some dr's offices had them, some didn't. employees at hospitals were vaccinated based on tiers. first tiers first, if any left, down to second tier, etc.

but we just got another shipment, accroding to the news, at the health dept. you can call to make appt to getone, but still only for high risk ppl.

we havent had reports of teh flu around here yet, though

love, rose

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 13, 2004

got 2nd best today...FluMist. Was happy to at least get that. THey offered them downtown at the County Health Dept for bedside caregivers. Hey, I feel lucky to have gotten that. I have taken flu shots for YEARS since I was a teen...the only year I got flu was the last time I was pregnant and was not allowed to get a flu shot. Don't want to ruin a good streak by NOT taking advantage of what they had to offer me.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Nov 13, 2004

We stood in line on Columbus Day for over an hour, but did get ours. Then today DH got a card from the VA saying they were having a drive through flu shot day. I guess they got adequate supply for the Vets.

ptnurse · Nov 13, 2004

I stood in line for 3 hours and 20 minutes to get a shot about 3 weeks ago. Now a public health nurse I go to church with says that they got a new shipment of 2000 doses. Now you can just walk in and get a shot if you meet the criteria.

Monica RN,BSN · Nov 14, 2004

May have to check out the FluMist.. anyone know how it compares to a flu shot in effectiveness? I personally on't need a flu shot, I don't tend to get sick much.. it's my elderly Home care people I am worried about.