Update in # 22 - Would this happen at your pediatrician's office?

[JustMe]

So, a couple of weeks ago I decided I wanted to get the flu shot for both kids. I called the ped's office and she said they only had an appt several weeks out, but that they might schedule a clinic sooner than that, so I could call back in a few days if I preferred. I called back in a few days, and sure enough there was a clinic scheduled.

We showed up for that clinic today. The cna/cma (not sure exactly what they are) asks if either child has asthma. I say ds does. She says "oh, we dont have any shots left. so he can't get anything" (they only had flumist and had run out of shots). I ask why no one called me if that was the case. She says we can't call 135 people. I asked if 135 people were unable to get shots today..she said no, that was the total number of people they schedule. Now, in my state flu shots for children can only be given by the pcp (or something similar to that, they cant just walk into a pharmacy, like adults can), but this women tells me that sometimes pharmacys can give kids flu shots if the ped. writes a prescription. I say great, lets do that. She walks out then some time later comes back in. she tried 3 pharmacys but none of them do that. She said I can go home and continue to call pharmacys but that's pretty much it(and my guess is that no pharmacys here actually do that). She then tells me that their flu shot clinics start in Sept, so next year I should make an appt in Sept if I want the kids to get a flu shot. In my mind, if I register for a clinic that they have just added, I miss work to get my kids there, they should get a flu shot. Now I do understand that things can happen and they can run out---but they just didnt seem to think this is any big deal, that they should actually have to call people, etc.

The pediatrician's office is part of a large hospital and I think it is just not managed well. I am not going to change pediatricians at this point b/c I love our ped, she is very responsive, takes my input, etc..but there are these small pediatrician offices, and I sure wish she was a part of one of those.

I have never been to a "clinic" at her office before, but it is not uncommon to have scheduling issues, etc.

So, would this happen at your ped's office. I get a little confused also, b/c I work somewhere where customer service/consideration of parents is primary--so I am out of touch with what is normal/average.

Just wanted to add that I am really tired and grouchy right now. So, if I am being unreasonable about something, please be gentle with me. I posted this in BP for a reason.

[connor_mommy]

We've been on our ped's priority list for flu shots since they were babies. Ds#2 has exercise induced asthma, so we maybe on that list a little longer. We get a call in early Sept to schedule our flu shots. I would be upset too if they told me there was a flu shot clinic and when I get there, they don't have any flu shots available.

[PZMommy]

My DS2 has severe asthma so we are also on a priority list and get our shots in Sept. We can't do the mist, because of my son's asthma. The medical group my pedi is a part of has flu shot clinics twice a week starting in October, no appointment necessary. You just show up during their hours and you get the shot. They make it super easy and convenient to get the shots by offering morning and afternoon hours so even working parents can get their kids there without missing work time. They even give me and DH ours as well when we are there.

I would think that a few days ago when you scheduled the appointment they would have at least known they were running low, and could have warned you there may not have been any left by the time of your appointment. Do you have a public health department that you can get the shots at??

[lizzywednesday]

We've been on our ped's priority list for flu shots since they were babies. Ds#2 has exercise induced asthma, so we maybe on that list a little longer. We get a call in early Sept to schedule our flu shots. I would be upset too if they told me there was a flu shot clinic and when I get there, they don't have any flu shots available.

I would be PISSED if that happened.

My DD needs one for daycare (state licensing requirement) AND she's in an additional at-risk group (congenital heart defect) so it's been on my list of "to-dos" since she was 6 months old.

I go to a large-ish group practice and signed up for e-mail alerts. They start sending a heads' up about flu shot clinics in August and clinics have typically started in late September. They also outline which vaxes they will have available at clinics and which they will have available by appointment ... and they NEVER schedule more patients than supply.

If there's another pediatrician or pediatric group in your area, OP, I would switch.

[DietCokeLover]

We went for we'll child checks yesterday and our clinic was out of flu shots as well. We will have to go to a pharmacy somewhere, but one we looked at yesterday only gave the shot to those who were over 7. (I have a 6 year old)

[khalloc]

My son also has asthma. His is cold-induced. So if he is sick with a cold, sometimes that can lead to wheezing and a dry cough. His is very very mild though and I believe he is growing out of it. He's been pretty healthy this year and its his first year in public school!

Anyways, DD always gets the FluMist. DS always has a shot. I didnt get either one of them the flu shot this year and TBH I hate getting DS a flu shot. He screams and goes nuts. I am not sure what the big deal is with the FluMist. Our pediatrician said that they just dont recommend it for kids with asthma because of the live virus aspect. I'm no expert, but in my son's case I would be willing to try it. But I doubt the pediatrician would.

[MamaMolly]

I can't say if it would happen at our Ped (we only recently started going there due to a move) but if it did I'd be pretty indignant. I'd think that there would be a way to flag the electronic record or paper file to show that a patient has asthma when the appointment is being made, but maybe I'm expecting too much?

[truly scrumptious]

Sorry, OP. I would be annoyed, too.
Just a couple of quick thoughts, though:
- Can the Ped give you a written prescription for a flu shot that you can then have for when/if you locate a pharmacy that would do it?
- How hard is it to change PCPs briefly? If you find any other ped who has the shots, can you change PCPs, make one appointment, and then switch back to your original ped?

Also, IME, having experienced both wonderful peds with horrible offices, and so-so peds with great offices, I would choose the first one any day - as in, I would put up with a LOT of administrative crap if it meant my kids had a ped that I trusted and most importantly who LISTENED to me. But it would still annoy me. Sorry you had to go through that.

[wendibird22]

We live in a state that also doesn't allow pharmacies to give flu shots to kids. We have to got to the ped or the Dept of Health who operates several clinics a year. We've had two different ped's and both offices do drop ins for shots (allergy, vax, etc). No call ahead just show up for our first pediatrician and our current, a family practice, you can call ahead, but it's same day service. I would be furious in your case.

[Piglet]

I'm in Canada. Nothing that you describes sounds bad that to me, sadly. In our city of 1 million people, we had 2 just 2! flu clinics for kids after the initial roll out in the fall. Lines were out the door. That was the only place to do it for anyone under 9 ( peds and pharmacies didn't have the vaccine for kids) and they were only open until 6:30 daily. The whole province only had maybe 5 clinics, so going elsewhere was useless. My kids didn't get the vax this year. I do take full blame though - I should have done it in the fall when many clinics were open. I just didn't realize the issues of waiting. Lesson learned.

[SnuggleBuggles]

My practice is a solo one and very low on bureaucracy. That wouldn't have happened. I know you really like your ped. I liked my old one just fine too. But, I'm so glad I switched away from the big practice. It really might be worth a look. I could just walk in to ours and get a flu shot- no special hours.

[okinawama]

Our vaccination clinic is out of vaccines constantly! I can't tell you how many times we've been sent home for scheduled vaccines. The flu vaccine was available at the beginning of fly season, but ran out at some point during the season , but it is back in stock right now.so yes, that could have happened at our pediatrician.

[Philly Mom]

I might be annoyed but not angry. TBH, I would be most annoyed with myself for waiting this long to get it and having this issue arise.


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[sunshine873]

My DDs Pulmonary Specialist said he has been giving flu mist to his asthma patients for at least 4 years with fabulous results. Guess it hasn't been approved by the FDA, but it's done in Europe. He actually believes it gives his patients better protection. Not sure how I feel about it, just thought it was an interesting bit to add to the conversation.

[ett]

I might be annoyed but not angry. TBH, I would be most annoyed with myself for waiting this long to get it and having this issue arise.


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:yeahthat: I'm sorry that your DS wasn't able to get the flu shot but it is pretty late in the season so I'm not surprised they ran out. I don't think you can expect the nurses to keep calling until they find one since it's not a required shot. I think it was nice of them to try a few pharmacies.

DS2 has an egg allergy and a few years ago he needed to get a flu shot at the allergist's office. They only provide 1 shot/child due to demand and since it was the first time DS2 was getting it, he needed the second booster. It was my responsibility to find him the second shot.

[JustMe]

Thanks for the replies. It is always interesting to see the diversity in points of view.

I do need to clarify something about people who are expressing that it make sense because it is so late in the season.


:yeahthat: I'm sorry that your DS wasn't able to get the flu shot but it is pretty late in the season so I'm not surprised they ran out.

This clinic was *just* added last week. Previously I had called and was told I would have to wait until about a week later--but I could call back and see if they added a clinic. Well, I called back and they added a clinic...I think that is different, and if they add a clinic that means they think they have enough shots. Also, appointments were necessary, so again, it seems they should know how many they need.

I did not want a flu shot early in the season. We do not get them every year. We get them when it seems like the vaccine is a good match for the virus going around, when the viruses going around are pretty bad, etc. Yes, I would accept if there were none left b/c I waited so long (which in some ways was an intentional decision), the fact that they just added this clinic that I made an appointment for just after they added it would make me expect they would have a shot.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course, and I appreciate hearing the different point of views.

[trales]

Can you ask the per for a referral to a practice, like an allergist etc, who does have the shot in stock. Can he write a script for you to pick it up at the pharmacy and bring it to the office so he can administer. Can he send you to the hospital for it. It seems like there should be something in line, such as him ordering the shot for you, other than saying you are SOL.

[Percycat]

Does Walgreens have a "take care clinic" near you? They are staffed by nurse practitioners. DD, DS, and I all get our flu shots at the 'take care clinic' -- the pharmacy can't give shots to kid in my state and it is a pain to go to a clinic at my peds office. Walgreens is walkin, and I usually wait no more the 30 minutes and all three of us can get our shots at the same time.

[doberbrat]

I dont get the flu shot so I cant say if it would happen at our drs though I HIGHLY doubt it, but yes, I'd be PISSED if I tried to make an appt and was told that I should come to the clinic in stead then when I arrived at said clinic after taking time off from work they said "too bad, your kids dont meet the requirement".

[Simon]

I think you have a right to be very angry. Like you, we don't do the shot every year and after being scheduled for the vax, I would expect that they work to find us a shot available at a related ped. clinic in the area. I mean, you could have made arrangements a few weeks ago and sought an alternative source if you had known they would have limited supplies.

I have an asthmatic Ds also and was told no one in the family should do the mist. For the Pp who asked, its because the mist is a live virus, the potential for shedding/exposure from family, and also for the asthmatic, it puts the live virus directly into the airways, a place of vulnerability. All medical staff are quick to remind us not to do the mist.

[catsnkid]

I think they should have called you. I get why they are out at this stage, but really? It is required for daycare for my kid anyway.

[JustMe]

Update--so today at work I called Public Health. They have shots and I easily made appts for Thursday. It would have been nice if the ped's office would have had that info. Then just a few minutes ago I got a call from someone higher up at the ped's office/hospital--she did not give me her title--but she supervises the cna/cma. She apologized for what happened and said she would like to get the kids in for a flu shot asap. So, now we have an appt there for Tues. I am not cancelling the Public Health appt until my kids have shots! I think probably what got the most action is that I kept repeating "I just want to clarify, the hospital has no plan of care for my kids.".

I am glad I expressed how wrong I thought it was. The woman who called said that she has now educated her staff on what to do if this should happen again..so that is good.

[niccig]

Update--so today at work I called Public Health. They have shots and I easily made appts for Thursday. It would have been nice if the ped's office would have had that info. Then just a few minutes ago I got a call from someone higher up at the ped's office/hospital--she did not give me her title--but she supervises the cna/cma. She apologized for what happened and said she would like to get the kids in for a flu shot asap. So, now we have an appt there for Tues. I am not cancelling the Public Health appt until my kids have shots! I think probably what got the most action is that I kept repeating "I just want to clarify, the hospital has no plan of care for my kids.".

I am glad I expressed how wrong I thought it was. The woman who called said that she has now educated her staff on what to do if this should happen again..so that is good.

A good resolution - the kids will get a shot and hopefully this doesn't happen to someone else again. Good for you for standing up and saying they needed to fix this.

I had to get the flu shot for grad. school (I see clients in a clinic setting), I made an appt. at our student health center and got a phone 1 day before my appt telling me they had run out of the flu shot. Several of my friends were also called - it's a new requirement to have the flu shot so they need more than normal this time of year. So yes, they could have called you in advance.

[HannaAddict]

Glad they are getting vaccinated. I would have been annoyed though I would not expect a busy peds practice to track down a flu shot. Ours gave our a sheet with contact info and links to other providers, age limits (different pharmacies have different limits).