Arrgghhhh... immunizations

So Hunter failed 7th grade Repeating it this year. And this week we found out that all students entering 7th grade must have certain immunizations- these were not requirements before, totally new this year. 3 updated immunizations... And is only for 7th graders, so Heather is not required but Hunter is.

So we get Hunter scheduled to our doctor- appointment was yesterday. The doctor only had 2 of the vaccines available. She was back-logged on the 3rd (its a 2nd chickenpox vaccine), seems there's a huge demand for it right now since the school district just decided to make the new requirement and there is a shortage of it. The school district has also made it known that they will turn the kids away (at the door) if they show up to school without having the newly updated vaccines.

So now we're scrambling to find someplace to get that one vaccine. Would've been nice to have a little advance notice, especially since they are not going to allow Hunter to attend without it.

So Shannon calls around to local pharmacies to see if any of them have it. Our normal pharmacy does have it, but they are not allowed to give vaccinations to anyone under 14yrs (Hunter just turned 13 ). She calls others and finds out that they are all back-ordered with a waiting list- the waiting list goes into next month. She finally found one pharmacy that has it, but they want $180 for it and will not accept insurance. That's friggin insane!!!

So now the only option is take him to the County Health Dept. Anyone that has ever been to the Health Dept will know what a nightmare that is. A massively long wait, in a room full of sick people- mostly sick crying infants. First come first serve- open for 4 hours in the morning, closed for 1.5 hours, and then open for 4 hours in the afternoon. And only does immunization 2 days per week (tuesday and thursday). If you're in line in the morning and it hits that 1.5 hour closed for lunch, they boot you out, and you don't dare go anywhere during that time or you lose your spot in line.

This is so frustrating!!! Shannon is going to call more pharmacies today to see if she can locate one that (a) has the vaccine in stock, (b) can immunize a 13yr old, and (c) will take insurance.

to bad you can't "home school" him until your doc gets the chickenpox one back in stock, then "transfer" in. lol

what if you try a doc in your insurance but outside of the school district? maybe they have it in stock?

The Raven wrote:

to bad you can't "home school" him until your doc gets the chickenpox one back in stock, then "transfer" in. lol

what if you try a doc in your insurance but outside of the school district? maybe they have it in stock?

Unfortunately I'm on an HMO plan. I got to pick my primary care physician when we enrolled. But to go to a different doctor requires a referral, and the referral is only made to go see a specialist not another general practitioner.

That really sucks N2..... one more place to look is at all the temporary immunization locations that pop up everywhere right before school starts. Did your doc say when they would have it in stock and did he/she even try to help locate someone who had it for you? I am singing the HMO blues right now too....

One thing that I learned is that I can change my PCP with a simple phone call!!! You can do this on line or over the phone.... change it for a month or so then "change your mind" and go back to the other. I was all worried about it being a PITA but it was so easy I wish I had done it years ago.... who are you with? Aetna?

Here are the locations that are all over town for school shots....

http://www.cmhouston.org/en/cev/1291/
http://www.slehc.org/CWI/Mobile_Health/Detail/Immunization_Schedules_2007.cfm
http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectEnglish/Images/PDF/HCHD_ImmmunSched_09.pdf
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6295621

Not another health care issue!!!

Don't worry we're in for a CHANGE!

Mr.RonGilbert wrote:

That really sucks N2..... one more place to look is at all the temporary immunization locations that pop up everywhere right before school starts. Did your doc say when they would have it in stock and did he/she even try to help locate someone who had it for you? I am singing the HMO blues right now too....

She doesn't know when she'll have it in stock. She said that the doctor's are the last to receive that vaccine, and when they do they receive limited quantities. The companies send the bulk of the vaccines to the pharmacies where they can receive more money for them.

Mr.RonGilbert wrote:

One thing that I learned is that I can change my PCP with a simple phone call!!! You can do this on line or over the phone.... change it for a month or so then "change your mind" and go back to the other. I was all worried about it being a PITA but it was so easy I wish I had done it years ago.... who are you with? Aetna?

Yes- with Aetna. Don't really want to change docs, we've been with her for so long. But she said that all the other local docs have the exact same problem due to what I posted above.

Mr.RonGilbert wrote:

Here are the locations that are all over town for school shots....

http://www.cmhouston.org/en/cev/1291/
http://www.slehc.org/CWI/Mobile_Health/Detail/Immunization_Schedules_2007.cfm
http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectEnglish/Images/PDF/HCHD_ImmmunSched_09.pdf
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6295621

Unfortunately- the vast majority of those dates are already passed. And the only one that is near us that has not passed, is in friggin Alief- we would probably get robbed beat stabbed and shot just for being there.

well phuck

have you checked the urgency care facilities?

jonsjeep wrote:

have you checked the urgency care facilities?

Don't accept Aetna HMO plans. So $200+ for immunization

I just found a loophole! Why didn't I notice this before.

In regards to the 2nd varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, the policy states: As in the past, a written statement from the parent or legal guardian or physician documenting a child’s positive history of varicella disease [chickenpox] is acceptable in lieu of either dose of
varicella vaccine.


AHA! I'm going to write a statement that Hunter has had chickenpox

BAM

and there you go...

betcha Hunter is thrilled to have to go to school now! hehe!

He needs to pay a percentage of his allowance o Heather so she can tutor him.