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OPINIONS
Voices of the People
Flu vaccines too difficult to find
Once upon a time, if I needed an influenza vaccine (and I did and continue to do so), I could go to my regular fall doctor's appointment and get "the shot."
Five years ago, my doctor stopped receiving the vaccine. Then began the annual "flu shot hunting" expedition.
The first year, I stood in line in the rainy parking lot at Cabell Midland High School for nearly two hours. We were finally "shot."
The second year, I went to the 1st Street Kroger's, stood in line as long as I could afford to (about an hour) and when the line hadn't moved and I needed to get to work, I bailed out. Later that day, I stood in line for another hour and a half at the 5th Avenue Kroger's and was finally "shot."
The past two years, I was fortunate enough to be "shot" by the nursing students at Marshall, my place of employment.
This year, I tried seven different times before I bagged my "seasonal flu" shot. Neither of my doctors had it. The Health Department had it, but not at a day and time I could go there. Marshall had it, but only if you could stand in line for hours. Kroger's had it, but only on certain days. I finally was "shot" at the new Walgreen's.
H1N1? Forget about it. Doctors don't have it. Health Department has it, but only if you're a young'un. The fact that I am immune suppressed -- and therefore at high risk -- is meaningless.
And don't try to blame any of this on Obama or health care reform, because the "flu shot" hysteria started on George W. Bush's watch.
If I finally get it, I'm going to have the syringe stuffed to mount over the fireplace as a trophy.
Susan Jackson
Huntington
Government-run health care wrong
How do you define quality health care? Have you ever heard any mother say, "Oh! When the kids are sick, Dr. H gets us right in!" I think that West Virginians define quality care as getting the treatment you need, when you need it. I've never heard any mother say "It's OK, I'm sure Johnny's fever will be fine by our appointment next Wednesday." This is the scenario that comes to my mind when I think of "delayed care is denied care."
Our family doctor provides us with more than prescriptions and diagnosis. He gives us moral support, he reassures us when we are ill, and he knows my children's hobbies and quirks. That's why I'm calling for the protection of the personalized doctor-patient relationship.
I DO NOT want a committee of Washington bureaucrats who are sick with fraud and special interests to establish the standard of care for me and my family. Please! Wake up and realize that a government solution that transforms health care for all Americans instead of only those who are truly in need is no solution at all!
Crystal Newman
Huntington
