Response to the H1N1 Vaccine and a Culture of Extremes

My family finally received our H1N1 vaccine last week. The county health department opened several storefronts through the area where the vaccine was available for free with no restrictions. No appointment necessary. We were in and out in 10 minutes.

The public reaction to the H1N1 vaccine, seems to me a microcosm of how we react to everything - in the extreme. When the H1N1 virus was in the daily news, the shown reaction was either (a) avoid the vaccine totally because it was unsafe or (b) stand in a line in the frigid weather for hours with small children in tow.

Why would people voluntarily place themselves and their children in large crowds unnecessarily during the peak of the outbreak? For some people with high risk illnesses, waiting in a long line seemed to be their only option. But were the lines made worse by healthy people refusing to wait until the vaccine was more plentiful?

My family gets a flu shot every year. As I understand, the H1N1 vaccine was developed and tested just like every annual flu vaccine. So, we had no concerns about receiving the H1N1 vaccine. But I refused to stand in line for hours. And when physicians began receiving the vaccine, I was reluctant to make a special trip to the pediatrician for my daughter. My fear is that if she wasn't sick when she arrived, she would be sick when she left.

I called local pharmacies many, many times and regularly listened to the local news about the vaccine's distribution. Finally, dosages were becoming available at pharmacies. But the administration times were limited and there were restrictions. Then I learned of a free county clinic, in my area of town. The first week, the clinic waiting room was packed, so we left. But one week later, NO WAIT!

It just seems that when we want to consume, it is so hard to have patience. Whether it is the latest high tech gadget, automobile, movie, or flu vaccine, if we want it, we want it NOW! And we often act like sheep, failing to properly access the situation. If there's a line forming, we better get in it!

Is there no middle ground? I guess no one wants to be considered behind the eight ball. But a month after a much awaited movie is released, does anyone care if you were the first to see the new Twilight movie? And technology advances so quickly, as soon as you purchase that new IPOD, it is quickly replaced by a new model. I want a flat screen HD television, but there's really nothing wrong with our old analog set.

We all complain that there is just not enough hours in a day; that we are too busy. But, how much time do we spend running around shopping for that latest gadget or waiting in a line!

Maybe the worse is already over regarding the H1N1 flu, it certainly seems that way. But if a new wave comes through later this winter, we are covered. I guess even forced patience eventually pays off.

Original post to 50-something Moms.