In Europe, most swine flu shots by invitation only (but that's good, ya know)

Associated Press ^ | Nov 7, 2009 | MARIA CHENG

[decimon]

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"That is one of the great advantages of the British health system," said Dr. Steve Field, president of the Royal College of General Physicians. "We have a list of all the names of patients who qualify to be vaccinated."

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[decimon]

This is one big tout for socialized medicine.

[Vendome]

A list of names that qualify? What if someone just wanted the shot and is willing to pay for it?

Is their life less valuable because they are not on your list?

[goodnesswins]

"In Canada, which has a form of socialized medicine, health officials began an investigation this week after professional hockey and basketball players got the vaccine ahead of thousands of children."

[darkside321]

A list of names that qualify? What if someone just wanted the shot and is willing to pay for it?

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8 euro per shot :-) at least here in Austria if you have no insurance.

[Paleo Conservative]

For now, the biggest problem confronting Britain's vaccination effort is not a shortage or public demand. In recent weeks, postal strikes have delayed delivery of about 35 million letters. Health officials worry that high-risk patients waiting for their swine flu vaccine invitation letters might never get them.

I certainly wouldn't want to have to rely on the US Mail to deliver the notification giving me the right to receive a vaccination.

[decimon]

8 euro per shot :-) at least here in Austria if you have no insurance.

Flu shots have been 30USD at local chain drugstores.

[darkside321]

the 8 euro are for the swine flu (you need 2 shots)
= 16 euro total

for the “regular” flu its between 16 and 18 Euro at the drugstore. so it´s nearly the same price here.

and 18 euro are about 26$ so it´s no big difference.

[Mr. Peabody]

Sounds like rationing.

[luckystarmom]

This is how my daughter with epilepsy got the shot.

Our pediatrician got 60 doses and they prioritized who got those shots.

My daughter with epilepsy was on that list, and my daughter with asthma and my son were not on the list.

[decimon]

the 8 euro are for the swine flu (you need 2 shots)

I believe I've been reading that, in the U.S., it's 2 shots for children under some age and 1 shot for adults. Maybe someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[rfp1234]

"We have a list of all the names of patients peasants who qualify to be vaccinated."

[decimon]

Our pediatrician got 60 doses and they prioritized who got those shots.

My daughter with epilepsy was on that list, and my daughter with asthma and my son were not on the list.

Do you know who set the priority? Your pediatrician or by diktat?

[JoeMac]

“And we also have a list of those who don’t qualify’’. Wether or not the doctor said this, it would certainly be the case with socialized medicene. You would have lists of all kinds of people with all kinds of stuff about them

[decimon]

"We have a list of all the names of patients peasants pissants who qualify to be vaccinated."

Peasants have value. ;-)

[decimon]

You would have lists of all kinds of people with all kinds of stuff about them

Yup.

[luckystarmom]

The pediatrician said they were using CDC guidelines.

I agree that my daughter with epilepsy should go before the rest of us. She may have trouble with the initial fever. My other daughter with asthma should be able to handle the initial fever, and we already have tamiflu on hand to help with complications.

[darkside321]

as far as i know you are correct (at least this is what i have heard) in the US it´s 1 shot for people older then 10 years old and 2 shots for the younger ones.
strange because we have 2 shots within 3 weeks for everyone here in my country.

[Vendome]

I can afford it but keep the untested goo.

Thanks.

[NativeSon]

"We have a list of all the names of patients who qualify ..."

hey! that's a good idea, our government should keep all kinds of lists that allows certain people to get certain services and/or go to certain places! what a great idea!

hey, maybe they could put like number on these people or something so your 'papers' won't be needed and then our gentle rulers could decide what's best more efficiently