Bring on the Pig!

After much debate and soul searching, our boys got their H1N1 vaccinations yesterday afternoon. We are not alarmists by any stretch of the imagination. We don't get the seasonal flu shot for our family, even though it's strongly recommended due to the fact that Elijah and I are both asthmatic. When we first heard there was going to be an H1N1 vaccination, we brushed it off as another unnecessary shot for a paranoid population. As news started pouring in about young children being hospitalized with complications, we started to second guess ourselves. Elijah doesn't do well with even the common cold. It goes directly to his lungs and sets up camp for weeks at a time. This cycle has already started for him this fall, and we can pretty much guarantee he won't be cough-free until next April. He had a very rough winter last year, requiring antibiotics several times for bacterial bronchitis and possibly pneumonia (diagnosis wasn't confirmed, as they just treated the symptoms and he responded well). As much as we were concerned about giving the vaccine to our boys, we became more concerned about not doing it. We decided it was in Elijah's best interest for us all to be protected from H1N1 this year. Of course, that's easier said than done.

H1N1 vaccinations started in our area last week. Initially, the priority list included children under 18, and adults with chronic conditions. This would cover our entire family (my husband was diagnosed with angina a few years ago and I have been asthmatic for 20 years). This scenerio was definitely best for us, as we could all get it over with at the same time and only do the lineup twice (children need a second dose in 3 weeks). The lineups across Canada have been incredible, with people waiting upwards of 8 hours in some places. Here in Fredericton, the lineups have been long as well. At the first clinic offered last week, some people waited for 6 hrs to get their vaccine. We planned our strategy carefully, to avoid having to wait in line for such a long time with two antsy children who really would rather not be there in the first place (it's not like we were waiting for ice cream or a carnival ride, afterall!). We sent daddy to line up at 10:30 on Sunday morning, while I took the boys to church. The clinic was scheduled to open at 1:00, so after church I headed over with the boys to join Clinton in the lineup. Our strategy worked! There were about 50 people in line ahead of us, and hundreds behind. The lineup stretched all the way down the long driveway of the highschool, and halfway down the block.

We were in and out of the clinic in just under an hour. Elijah took his vaccine like a trooper - he barely even flinched. Ezekiel took his like... well... a four year old. With Daddy restraining him and me trying to get him to look away from the needle, he screamed at the top of his lungs. Fortunately he wasn't the only screaming child in the gymnasium, and his noise just blended into the cacophony!

Unfortunately, there has been a shortage of vaccines in Canada. Don't get me started on the line-jumpers who disregarded the priority groups policy, or the health care system that said, "don't turn anyone away". This means my hubby and I will have to wait to get vaccinated, as they've limited the current vaccinations to children and pregnant women. Fortunately with the boys now vaccinated, it will offer some protection to the rest of our family as well.

The boys are both feeling great today, other than a sore arm. No fevers, no body aches or headaches, no ill effects whatsoever. Elijah even went so far as to say he had FUN getting his vaccine... we need to get that lad's head checked, and soon!