H1N1 Flu Shots Are Now Available

Wednesday afternoon update: 

So, after seeing last minute that the H1N1 vaccine injectables are now available, I called the pediatrician, who had a small supply but has already run out, and then pulled my asthmatic son out of school to get the shot at the county-run clinic at the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring. I'd heard the first clinic (nasal spray only) was easy in, easy out. Not so this time.

Parents who arrived at 8:30-8:45 reported a 2-hour wait after coming out vaccinated. Those of us who arrived in the 10:30 range didn't leave until about 1:30. The whole thing, wait included, was both well-staffed and well-run. The crowds were calm and the lines did move. But if you head off to one of these clinics, go prepared with water, food, coats and even lollipops or stickers for the kids. I'd forgotten the requisite shot lollipop and Nipper, who normally has no problem with shots, thought the needle was super long and hurt more than his seasonal flu shot last week. I attribute that to my bad mommy syndrome of forgetting the lolly. The nurse who gave him the shot lamented that she didn't have stickers to give the kids.

For those of you looking for the flu clinic info, here's  the latest from the Montgomery County Department of Health:

Free H1N1 vaccination clinics (providing nasal spray and injectable) will be held for priority folks first. These are pregnant women, children and young adults, ages 6 months to 24 years, household contacts and caretakers of infants younger than 6 months old, health care workers, adults ages 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, cancer and HIV. The currently posted clinic dates are:

• Wednesday, October 14 (That's today, folks)
  9 a.m. to noon
  Dennis Avenue Health Center
  2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring

• Wednesday, October 21
  9 a.m. to noon
  Piccard Drive Health Center
  1335 Piccard Drive, Rockville

Free H1N1 vaccination clinics (both nasal spray and injectable) will be held for all children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years beginning on Oct. 28. Here are the dates and locations:

• Wednesday, October 28 from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 4 from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 11 from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Northwood High School
919 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring

Northwest High School
13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown

Rockville High School
2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville

Area pediatrician Web sites continue to report that they have not yet received the H1N1 vaccine.