H1N1: Easier Said Than Done.

Editor’s Note: My childhood endocrinologist once told my mother and I that he had never believed in the flu shot until he’d contracted the flu the year previously.  This bit of doctorly insight, coupled with the fact that individuals with chronic health conditions are deemed high risk for both catching and developing serious complications from the flu, has made me a devout receiver of the flu vaccine for the past seven or eight years.

In Canada, the H1N1 Campaign began for high risk individuals (and hockey players?) on October 26th.  So, bright and early on that fine, autumn morning, I rang up my GP’s office and confidently proclaimed that I was calling to book my flu shot.  The receptionist told me that wouldn’t be possible until they received the vaccines and to call back later that week.  Slightly miffed, I hung up, waited a few days and called back.  This time, I was told to call back early next week.  And, early next week, I was told to call back at the end of the following week…

With each consecutive call, my GP’s receptionist sounded slightly less hopeful that the office would even receive its shipment of vaccines.  Not wanting to wait any longer than necessary (especially with all the recent press regarding vaccine shortages), I gave up on my doctor’s office and headed out for the Saanich H1N1 Public Immunization Clinic at the University of Victoria.  At 9:30am (half an hour after the clinic opened), the lineup of people waiting for the shot was spilling out of the auditorium-turned-clinic and snaking around the side of the building.  Thankfully, I was able to take a ticket that allowed me to leave the line and return in an hour with “fast track” status.  In total, my wait was close to two hours (far better than some other parts of the country) and, before lunchtime had rolled around, I was fully inoculated.  The nurse was even able to give me the seasonal shot. Two arms. Two pokes. Two band-aids.  Bingo bango, just like that.

To tell you the truth, I was quite surprised that I was able to receive both the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines since, earlier in the week, my GP’s receptionist had informed me that the seasonal flu shot wouldn’t be available until January.

From my experience, there has been a major communication fail this flu season.  In total, I have spoken with half-a-dozen people (my GP, his receptionist and a slew of flu clinic nurses and staff) about the policies surrounding distribution of both the H1N1 and the seasonal flu vaccines.  And, in total, I have received half-a-dozen different answers.  My questions ranged from:

1) wanting clarification on the fact that H1N1 is given in two installments (turns out the “double-dose” — a.k.a. two half-dosages — is only necessary for children under the age of nine), to
2) the eligibility of my husband (as the spouse of someone with a chronic health condition) to receive the shot during the high risk distribution, to
3) when the seasonal flu shot will be available.

The fact that I had to struggle to get a clear answer to any of these questions troubles me.  I understand that the Public Health Agency of Canada is updating their advice to the public, “as new, credible information becomes available” but, when it comes to the issue of flu shots and mass inoculation, it seems that the powers that be are changing their minds with their socks.  In fact, the nurse who vaccinated me at yesterday’s clinic informed me that the immunization policies are changing daily (daily!!?).

This, in my humble opinion, is not acceptable.  If anything, it’s downright confusing.  With a target market of 33.7 million citizens, communication needs to be stronger.  If health care professionals and flu clinic workers can’t keep the policies straight, how the heck is the general public supposed to know what’s going on?

What about you? Have you had problems with getting accurate information or getting your vaccine this flu season?

Editor’s Note: The most up-to-date information on the H1N1 Flu Vaccine (including info by province and territory), can be found on this Public Health Agency of Canada web site.