Anyone else having trouble getting a flu shot?

My doctor had a batch early in October, but I couldn't get one because I had to get a cortisone shot that day for a bee sting above my eye. When I got back there the next week, they were gone.

They said they ordered from two different suppliers and the second batch is slow in coming in. Although they've made repeated calls, they can't get a delivery date. I have asthma, so I'm in a high-risk category and I'm supposed to take my dad, who's 82. But, we're still waiting. I guess we can start exploring the shot clinics offered by the pharmacies, but I don't think my insurance would cover that, although his Medicare will cover him.

I'm just wondering if it's just my doctor or others are having problems as well. I haven't seen any stories in the media about shortages again, just hoarding of Tamiflu.

So, what's your experience?

Kroger stores in this area have flu shot clinics. I'm also an asthmatic and wasn't able to find one last year. My doctor has no vaccine but the grocery stores do...

County health department maybe? You should be able to submit your receipt to the insurance company for reimbursement.

I am of the mind though, that the clinics should get them first, before the drug stores and grocers. My mom had a very difficult time getting one.

My health plan, Kaiser Permanente, has plenty. While I've got athsma and am considered high risk, I don't get flu shots because they're cultured in chicken eggs.

Edited for missing punctuation. -LM

if I think it would put my health at risk. I got an upper respiratory infection last December that knocked me on my ass and I was alternating with Advair and Flovent four times a day. I can't imagine getting the flu.

What about a pneumonia shot?

which interestingly enough became nearly a non-issue when I changed my diet. (I think my dairy allergy was a big trigger.) That said, my ideological commitments are important to me and if I had to take a big helath risk for them I probably would (I qualify that a bit because one can never be 100% certain until one faces that sort of choice.)

No waiting, no worries......

I paid $30.00 for it, but I'd rather pay than have to mess with an appt. at the Dr. office......

I got it several weeks ago......:shrug:

and can get same-day appointments. For the shot, they are doing walk-ins, with the nurse giving it. No hassle.

It's not that way at my doctor's office......

Lucky you......

Worse in some areas than in others. It appears that mass-vaccination sites (like grocery stores) got the vaccine before many health care providers. (This is from Duluth but I've seen similar reports from elsewhere.)

www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/13018894.htm

Reading further, the supply may also be a bit short:

Last year, contamination at a manufacturing facility of California-based Chiron Corp. rendered half the U.S. supply of flu vaccine unusable. The company had forecast delivery of 46 to 48 million vaccine doses this year, then cut production to 18 to 26 million doses.

I've heard it takes about 2 weeks after the shot to develop full immunity, so a simple delay can be a problem for some.

(I got my shot at work this AM. The high-risk people got theirs a few weeks ago.)

You would think that health care providers would be the first priority since they know who's at risk. This entire problem is being driven by profit motives. People's health should be put ahead of making a buck.

I couldn't sleep last night, so my brain is a little fuzzy. Thanks. I fixed it.

for people with immune difficiencies, so I got one a few weeks back. But they're selling them to anyone for around $20.00 at all the major supermarkets in the area. :shrug:

Wonder why there are so many different prices.

(my copay) if I get it done at the doctor's office. If I can't get in next week, I'll bite the bullet, but I'm already paying a ton of money to stay on COBRA. I want to get my money's worth.

I guess that's the upside to having a ravavged immune system - they save a shot for me. I'm also under doctor's orders to avoid babies and children (major resevoirs of antibiotic-resistant upper respiratory infections, e. coli, e. aerogenes and strep).

they are offering them for employees and spouses.

As far as I know, the kids will be able to get them at their pediatrician. My son is going in Monday, and I'll double check then.

Since I'm in relatively good health (knock on wood), I guess I'm low-risk compared to some. I'm more concerned about my mother-in-law (who is 65) and grandmother-in-law (who's 94 and had double pneumonia a few years back).

along with a pneumonia vaccine. That one is good for five years. Make sure they take care of that.

don't want to be caught getting a flu shot when they call me; so i haven't even tried yet.

Real ones too! Even though I work for a commodities brokerage firm the owners, and 70% of the brokers are democrats.

and making sausages out of their carcass meat :9