So we're all supposed to get the flu shot here in Canada
right? Free shots if you can get 'em. I work all day long
and then go to the mall where the shots are offered where I
live. I got there ten minutes after nine this morning and
the parking lot was already full. I didn't even bother to
get out of my vehicle as I looked through the windows into
the mall and the lineup was already stretching down the
entire length of the mall. This is the one day that I
could go in, in the morning, so I thought I would get the
shot. If I did this though, I would have to sit in line (I
brought a chair and a book), but then I have a doctor
appointment today at 2:00 pm, so I'd have to give up my
place in line, go for the appointment and then go to the
back of the line again. Crazy. I've gone numerous times
throughout the week to get the shot and the lineups are
insane.
The national newspapers are stating that this is the
biggest immunization campaign in Canada in history. They
report that 50,000 people per day in Alberta alone are
being immunized and that it is the same across the
provinces. There have been over 6 million doses of the
vaccine ordered just for our country. It's also being
reported that Canada has ordered the most flu vaccine of
all the countries in the world. Newspapers headlines here
are "Flu Rage Across the Country". I understand why people
are getting angry, as the line ups are nuts and in some
places they are running out of the vaccine while people are
waiting. I had a little bit of the "flu rage" myself this
week. It's a nice thought, a free flu vaccine, but it's
theoretical. I'm hoping that things will quiet down in a
few weeks and then I can get my free flu shot.
Now, this may sound ignorant, but I also think that people
who are on the front lines of working with people should be
given preference for the flu shot. Health care workers,
teachers (full time, substitute), those who are chronically
ill, should have preference over someone who stays at
home. My principal is talking of shutting down our school
in November if our attendance is low. He's been in classes
every day, checking attendance. I teach in a very low-
socio-economic area where kids come to school even when
they are sick. I don't think many of the parents at my
school worry about this, or about getting the flu shot.
So that's my vent. I'm trying to get the free flu shot,
but can't get it. I'm sure I'm going to get some type of
flu soon, as I'm in contact with 600 kids on a daily
basis. I did get the seasonal flu shot, as I do every
year.
Is anyone else *trying* to get the shot? Is anyone else
getting the shot, or not? I'm curious as to what the
situation is in the United States as well. Are the flu
shots free, or do you have to pay for them?
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