Let me first start off by saying that I respect the decision of those who choose not to get the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine. I completely understand that it is scary taking something for the first time, where there could be irreversible side effects.
On that note, I am so sick of people complaining about how "dangerous" getting the vaccine is and how they are promoting that people should not take the vaccine. When people ask me if I got it, and I tell them yes, half the time I get a rationing on how bad it is. Don't criticize me for choosing to protect myself due to my situation. I could careless if you take it or not. I don't control your life and you don't control mine.
As a class 4 PHer, I felt that it was absolutely necessary to get the H1N1 Flu Vaccine to protect myself. When a PHer gets a cold, symptoms seem to be twice as bad as a "healthy" person, so it seems to me. And when a PHer gets the flu, watch out. And it always takes what seems forever to get rid of it. I have spoken to numerous PHers about the vaccine, as well as many medical doctors and PH specialists. All PH specialists that I have spoken to have requested that all their PH patients get the vaccine unless they were allergic to the vaccine. What amazes me is how many PHers have tried to get the shot and are unsuccessful in receiving one. We definitely qualify for the vaccine according to the Center of Disease Control (CDC). I was one of those people at first that was denied a vaccine at my primary physician's office (I could have received one at UCLA Medical from my PH specialist but I would have to wait another month). Dr. Saggar at UCLA encouraged me to fight and get the vaccine before seeing him in 3 weeks to get the vaccine at my PH checkup for the fear that I might get it between now and then. Here is my story:
I called my primary care physician's office last week to see if they had received their shipment of the H1N1 flu vaccine. They were originally supposed to receive it in October but didn't get it until November (like most places in Southern California). I asked the appointment receptionist lady if they received their shipment, she said yes. I told her that I would like to make an appointment with the nurse to get it. She asked for my name and date of birth and then tried telling me that I was not on her "priority list" created by all the physicians in the office of all their priority patients and she also said I couldn't get it anyways because I was not between the age of 2 and 24. Now she didn't just relay this info to me, she had to say it with the biggest attitude under the sun. And I could tell she new NOTHING about PH, so she had no right to deny me a vaccine.
So this, of course pissed me off.
I knew I should have been on the list, so I asked to be transferred to my doctor's nurse (my doctor doesn't work on Mondays or Tuesdays, and of course this was Monday and the vaccines were already flying). I left a voicemail with my doctor's nurse (the woman NEVER picks up the phone or calls you back). So I looked up the "rules" on the CDC website that shows who should get the vaccine. I was pretty sure that you could qualify if you had a chronic lung disease and PH would qualify me as a person that would need to get. Here is what I read:
Groups recommended to receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine first are:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical personnel
• Anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Anyone from 25 through 64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.
As more vaccine becomes available, these groups should also be vaccinated:
• Healthy 25 through 64 year olds
• Adults 65 years and older
The Federal government is providing this vaccine for receipt on a voluntary basis. However, state law or employers may require vaccination for certain persons.
So clearly I qualify under the "chronic medical conditions" requirement. So I called the half-wit at the front desk again and told her to hand me over to someone that would answer their damn phone in the office, so I got another nurse in the office. I explained my situation and having PH. She said she new what PH was and she agreed that I should be put on the high priority list. She then made me an appointment to get the vaccine that afternoon. Thank God someone was willing to listen to me for two seconds without an attitude.
Later that afternoon, I got my vaccine and decided to say hello to a friend that works in my doctor's office. I was telling her about how I was shocked that my doctor didn't put me on the priority list, nor did my case coordinator. She was shocked as well. So all of a sudden this nurse interrupts us in mid-conversation and says, "so you got your shot?". I recognized the voice, it was the lady who put my name on the list and made my appointment. I said thank you to her for helping me out but relayed how shocked I was about how STUPID the receptionist was to think that ONLY 2-24 year olds could get the vaccine. I told her that I tried explaining to the receptionist about the other conditions that qualify you for vaccine beyond being 2-24. So to cut a long story short, this lady went on to argue with me about how the medical group was really only allowed to give vaccines to 2-24 year olds and that she did it for me as a "favor".
A favor, what the heck? I have the right to get this vaccine!
So I showed her the piece of paper that the nurse just gave me about the vaccine where it lists all of those that can get the vaccine first. I told her I have a chronic disease and I qualify and it is not up to the medical group, a nurse or a receptionist to decide who doesn't qualify for the vaccine. She even went on to say that she didn't even get the vaccine and that there were to few vaccines available to give it to everyone. My point was not that everyone should get the vaccine, but those who qualify for the first round, like myself, should be able to get it if their are vaccines available and I am willing to get it. I just shook my head and told my friend I would be call my doctor and my case coordinator to tell them about the terrible treatment I got from her staff and the lack of H1N1 vaccine protocol education that they obviously have.
Listening to other PHer's H1N1 flu vaccine stories, I have learned that I am not alone. Many PHers that want the vaccine, are being denied the shot. Don't let them deny you. You qualify!! PHight for your vaccine PHers. If you want, go get it and don't take no for an answer.
As a follow up note: my doctor's nurse called me the next day and I relayed my experience with trying to get on the priority list. She was shocked that my doctor didn't have me on the list already. I told her that I was disappointed that my doctor didn't take the time to put me one the list. Let it be known, I will be expressing my disappointment with my doctor and case coordinator directly. These people are suppose to be looking out for me, what is going on?
If you would like a copy of the rules and guidelines of the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine please continue to the link below:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
On that note, I am so sick of people complaining about how "dangerous" getting the vaccine is and how they are promoting that people should not take the vaccine. When people ask me if I got it, and I tell them yes, half the time I get a rationing on how bad it is. Don't criticize me for choosing to protect myself due to my situation. I could careless if you take it or not. I don't control your life and you don't control mine.
As a class 4 PHer, I felt that it was absolutely necessary to get the H1N1 Flu Vaccine to protect myself. When a PHer gets a cold, symptoms seem to be twice as bad as a "healthy" person, so it seems to me. And when a PHer gets the flu, watch out. And it always takes what seems forever to get rid of it. I have spoken to numerous PHers about the vaccine, as well as many medical doctors and PH specialists. All PH specialists that I have spoken to have requested that all their PH patients get the vaccine unless they were allergic to the vaccine. What amazes me is how many PHers have tried to get the shot and are unsuccessful in receiving one. We definitely qualify for the vaccine according to the Center of Disease Control (CDC). I was one of those people at first that was denied a vaccine at my primary physician's office (I could have received one at UCLA Medical from my PH specialist but I would have to wait another month). Dr. Saggar at UCLA encouraged me to fight and get the vaccine before seeing him in 3 weeks to get the vaccine at my PH checkup for the fear that I might get it between now and then. Here is my story:
I called my primary care physician's office last week to see if they had received their shipment of the H1N1 flu vaccine. They were originally supposed to receive it in October but didn't get it until November (like most places in Southern California). I asked the appointment receptionist lady if they received their shipment, she said yes. I told her that I would like to make an appointment with the nurse to get it. She asked for my name and date of birth and then tried telling me that I was not on her "priority list" created by all the physicians in the office of all their priority patients and she also said I couldn't get it anyways because I was not between the age of 2 and 24. Now she didn't just relay this info to me, she had to say it with the biggest attitude under the sun. And I could tell she new NOTHING about PH, so she had no right to deny me a vaccine.
So this, of course pissed me off.
I knew I should have been on the list, so I asked to be transferred to my doctor's nurse (my doctor doesn't work on Mondays or Tuesdays, and of course this was Monday and the vaccines were already flying). I left a voicemail with my doctor's nurse (the woman NEVER picks up the phone or calls you back). So I looked up the "rules" on the CDC website that shows who should get the vaccine. I was pretty sure that you could qualify if you had a chronic lung disease and PH would qualify me as a person that would need to get. Here is what I read:
Groups recommended to receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine first are:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical personnel
• Anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Anyone from 25 through 64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.
As more vaccine becomes available, these groups should also be vaccinated:
• Healthy 25 through 64 year olds
• Adults 65 years and older
The Federal government is providing this vaccine for receipt on a voluntary basis. However, state law or employers may require vaccination for certain persons.
So clearly I qualify under the "chronic medical conditions" requirement. So I called the half-wit at the front desk again and told her to hand me over to someone that would answer their damn phone in the office, so I got another nurse in the office. I explained my situation and having PH. She said she new what PH was and she agreed that I should be put on the high priority list. She then made me an appointment to get the vaccine that afternoon. Thank God someone was willing to listen to me for two seconds without an attitude.
Later that afternoon, I got my vaccine and decided to say hello to a friend that works in my doctor's office. I was telling her about how I was shocked that my doctor didn't put me on the priority list, nor did my case coordinator. She was shocked as well. So all of a sudden this nurse interrupts us in mid-conversation and says, "so you got your shot?". I recognized the voice, it was the lady who put my name on the list and made my appointment. I said thank you to her for helping me out but relayed how shocked I was about how STUPID the receptionist was to think that ONLY 2-24 year olds could get the vaccine. I told her that I tried explaining to the receptionist about the other conditions that qualify you for vaccine beyond being 2-24. So to cut a long story short, this lady went on to argue with me about how the medical group was really only allowed to give vaccines to 2-24 year olds and that she did it for me as a "favor".
A favor, what the heck? I have the right to get this vaccine!
So I showed her the piece of paper that the nurse just gave me about the vaccine where it lists all of those that can get the vaccine first. I told her I have a chronic disease and I qualify and it is not up to the medical group, a nurse or a receptionist to decide who doesn't qualify for the vaccine. She even went on to say that she didn't even get the vaccine and that there were to few vaccines available to give it to everyone. My point was not that everyone should get the vaccine, but those who qualify for the first round, like myself, should be able to get it if their are vaccines available and I am willing to get it. I just shook my head and told my friend I would be call my doctor and my case coordinator to tell them about the terrible treatment I got from her staff and the lack of H1N1 vaccine protocol education that they obviously have.
Listening to other PHer's H1N1 flu vaccine stories, I have learned that I am not alone. Many PHers that want the vaccine, are being denied the shot. Don't let them deny you. You qualify!! PHight for your vaccine PHers. If you want, go get it and don't take no for an answer.
As a follow up note: my doctor's nurse called me the next day and I relayed my experience with trying to get on the priority list. She was shocked that my doctor didn't have me on the list already. I told her that I was disappointed that my doctor didn't take the time to put me one the list. Let it be known, I will be expressing my disappointment with my doctor and case coordinator directly. These people are suppose to be looking out for me, what is going on?
If you would like a copy of the rules and guidelines of the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine please continue to the link below:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
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