Flu Shots

We've been talking about getting the kids H1N1 flu shots for about a month and a half now. We all know there's been a shortage of vaccinations. There has been clinics set up every now and then for certain people to get the vaccination. First it was babies under sixth months and pregnant people. Then they added children five and under, and now the list has grown more to kids older than five, etc. Our pediatrician's office has been out of it and their scheduled flu clinics on some Saturdays have been canceled due to shortages. It's been a real pain to get as most of you know. The health department has had certain times every week that they're offering it, but those times have all been when Evan's in school of course. Plus we all have seen the lines on the news of people waiting for the H1N1 vaccine, only to get turned away because they've run out. I dreaded trying to go to the health department and stand in a long line with two kids and then with my luck be told, "Sorry we're out of the vaccine." I've also had mixed feelings about getting the H1N1 shot for the kids. Part of me said do it and part of me said no. So needless to say the kids haven't gotten the H1N1 flu shot until today. Finally there was a clinic in E. Lansing this afternoon at the E.L. High School. It was from 4-7pm, and I figured I could pick Evan up from school and go right there.

I got to Evan's school a little early so I didn't have to wait in the car line and he'd be the first one in line. We got to the high school about 3:55pm and we walk in and of course there's already a huge line. It was all the way down the hall to the door. I asked the lady volunteering there if she knew how long it would take. She said once they started the line moving at 4 o'clock I'd probably find that it would move along at a good rate. Sure enough it did, and we zipped right through that line. They had it set up very nice and moved people in and out of there. It was set up in the cafeteria and there were different stations to go to. Thank goodness I was smart enough to download the form and fill out the paper work at home so I got to skip that step and move right ahead in the line. The kids both got the mist and did awesome! I was so proud of them. Evan was such a big brother and went first so his sister could see how easy it was. If they did a good job I told them they could have a couple cookies after wards. (Smart thinking on my part right, to bring the cookies along with me?) Although I think I would've been fine without them because the kids were so "grown up" about the whole thing. We were in and out of there in 10 minutes! So now round one of the H1N1 vaccine is done for the kids and we have to go back in a month for them to get round two.