Hey, guys, take a minute and peruse this site

[tavalon]

I know it's the CDC, those political bastards, but this time they have good information and important information. Every state now has widespread H1N1 (also called swine flu). It is the only flu circulating right now and no one born after 1950 has any immunity to it. It's really questionable how much immunity the elder folks have but most of my

Comments

The current vaccine available is the regular seasonal one

[tavalon]

The one for H1N1 is only available right now as a nasal spray, something those who have asthma or are immunocompromised, should not take. The H1N1 flu shot should be at most sites within 2 weeks but will at first be limited to Healthcare workers, pregnant women, children under 2 years old and those with chronic health conditions.

If I find the shot locally, and I am looking, I will let you know right away. I know I'm going to be able to get it on Nov 6th at work but I want to get it earlier so I'm looking. Safeway had the nasal spray specifically for Healthcare workers but in the area I work in, I would have to stay away from patients for 7 days and I have asthma so the nasal spray is a no-no for me anyway.

Addendum

[tavalon]

Snohomish County clinics will be providing the H1N1 shot at the beginning of November. Your doctor will likely have it at around the same time. Unfortunately, it's predicted that more than 60% of people in the US will already have been exposed by then

Yeah, thank you for adding that part

[tavalon]

If you don't have underlying conditions, please try not to go to the doctor or the hospital unless it seems like you are getting very sick, especially respiratory wise.

BTW, that's a great LJ icon you have there!

[rain0rshine]

If people are interested in the low or no thimerosal varieties of the flu vaccines, NOVARTIS is a company that seems to do them pretty exclusively. I work for Maxim Health Services running flu shot clinics and that's the variety we use because we are authorized to administer to children over 9 and pregnant ladies. Also, it should be noted, that anymore, the amount of mercury in thimerosal and the amount of thimerosal in these flu vaccines is way lower than it used to be. And, in most cases, is substantially less than that in a can of most brands of tuna or salmon or fresh Atlantic salmon. I realize it's still something to watch out for, but they are getting better about it

Thank you

[tavalon]

That's great to know about Novartis. I'm quite sure my hospital is getting the multidose vials with the thimerosal. I'm mostly sure because I'm cynical about my hospital. I'm still going to get it.

Washington state actually decided to lift the statewide ban on thimerosal because of the health emergency that this novel flu presents.

I'm going to Bartell's to get my seasonal flu vaccine this Friday. And when my hospital get's the H1N1 shot (hopefully between Nov 2nd and 6th), I'll get that one then. They have this nifty scheme where they want to vaccinate us for both at the same time. It is time efficient, but I don't care to make my body work out two simultaneous vaccines.