H1N1

I am so frustrated right now!!! I am a front line health care worker(advance care paramedic) on some lists. On others I am not considered. I am expected to show up to work and put myself in harms way with no direction from my employer. It's like "fend for yourself"! I worked and lived through SARS 1 & 2 and am really worried about H1N1. Right now it seems that no employer or health department has all their **** together! I will go again tomorrow and wait in line. My other concern is that I am doing the "TTC" I am scheduled for a FET on Nov 15th.  

[scienceteacher79]

Just my opinion - which doesn't mean squat :) but I am not getting the vaccine. I don't feel like it has been tested enough. I don't want to grow a tail in 10 years or something crazy :) hee hee.

I do feel that, being a parmedic, you are an obvious choice for the vaccine. That is soooo weird that they aren't giving to you at work. Did you ask about it? Good luck in your long line! I hope you are able to get it!

[Kathy421]

I too am a front line worker - ER physician.  20+% of the people we see have H1N1.  I am currently 6 weeks pregnant and high risk because I am 42.

There has also been a lack of respect for the ER staff - there is yet no vaccine for us.

In the ER, we have been exposed to H1N1 for at least 2+ months.  
Most of my colleagues are NOT getting sick (you'd think that we would be the first ones to get sick).  My colleagues think that since we have been continually exposed to it, that we are likely developing an immunity against it.  

I make sure that anyone I see who has a fever is wearing a mask.  I also always wear gloves and if they seem at higher risk, then I too will wear a mask.

I too am contemplating whether I should get it when it comes out or not.  The virus seems to affect younger people more than older, - maybe I have some inherent immunity from the 1976 flu outbreak.

You are not alone in your frustrations.  Keep wearing gloves, place a mask on every patient, and wear one yourself.