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H1N1 swine flu vaccine shortage creates tension between parents and pediatricians
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The old adage "You catch more flies with honey" has never rung more true around local pediatrician practices lately. The swine flu has become the most prevalent strain of flu spreading, meaning that if your child is sick he is more likely to have the swine flu than the seasonal flu strain. Amid fears of children dying from complications brought on by the H1N1 virus are reports that the swine flu vaccine is in short supply, making it incredibly difficult to find a doctor or clinic that has it in stock. Naturally parents are frightened and angry - and taking it out on their health care providers, who have no control over the situation and are just as helpless as anyone else.
In the Seattle area, word spreads like wildfire when one of the largest pediatrician practices around receives a shipment of the H1N1 vaccine. Their website specifically states that they are unable to schedule appointments for the vaccine but if it is in stock on the day your child is scheduled to get his seasonal flu vaccine, he will be able to get the H1N1 vaccine as well. This practice received a shipment on a recent Friday afternoon and by Saturday morning their switchboard was lit up brighter than a Christmas tree with frantic parents, mostly mothers, calling and begging for the vaccine. The tough part? Having to say no. By Monday morning, their website issued a stern statement, saying that they see each child equally deserving of the vaccine and medical care and that they are doing their best to get their limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine out as efficiently as possible.
Sounds like more than a few parents gave the practice a piece of their mind, which was later confirmed by a nurse at the practice who was astonished by the reaction of parents who are unable to get their child the H1N1 vaccine right away. She was even more surprised by how many parents were even aware that the practice had received a shipment of the H1N1 vaccine. She shouldn't be surprised by that. Thanks to cell phones, parents are sharing the news of which doctor has the vaccine through texts, emails, and phone calls, much to the dismay of the medical providers. While the parents call and sweetly ask for an appointment, it can quickly turn ugly. Upon learning that there is no way children can just come in for walk-in appointments and that flu shot clinics are booked two to three weeks out (in which time the practice will surely run out of the H1N1 vaccine), parents become irate and switch tactics. Suddenly the nice mother the receptionist was talking to has turned into Momzilla, ready to reach through the phone and strangle someone until her child has an appointment to receive this vaccine.
It appears that it is time to take a step back and put this whole swine flu pandemic into perspective. Yes, it's widespread. Yes, children (and adults) are dying from this. That's not unusual - children and adults die every year from the seasonal flu. Sadly, it's to be expected. The unusual aspect of the swine flu is that these deaths are reported with a frenzy, as though it's completely unprecedented and no one has ever died from flu complications. It's important to keep in mind that while the H1N1 flu strain will make your child very sick, most are able to recover without medical treatment. Be aware of what the symptoms are, how to care for a sick person, and how to protect yourself, and you will more than likely get through this flu season just fine.
Of course, if you can get the H1N1 vaccine, and want it, get it. The supply will eventually catch up with the demand, though obviously not as quickly as the government had initially promised. In the meantime, remember that your pediatrician is not responsible for how many doses their supplier receives, nor do they have any control over when they receive a shipment. Your child's pediatrician is just as frustrated as you are and wants to ensure his health and safety.
For current information about the H1N1 virus, check out these websites:
Centers for Disease Control
Flu.gov
MSNBC Swine Flu Section
King County Public Health (up-to-date info on H1N1 in the area)
More swine flu coverage
Get an email alert when H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine is available in King County
Swine flu vaccine backlash continues while Overlake Hospital offers free vaccine to pregnant women
Washington State will allow mercury in swine flu vaccines for pregnant women and small children
Swine flu smackdown from Parents Ask
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