Bet you thought I was going to tell you about how I stood in a line for a couple of hours in order to receive the H1N1 vaccine for my child. Nope – I was on the other end. I was giving the shots. It was a very interesting experience. There were hundreds of very responsible parents getting their children vaccinated. There were also those parents with infants under 6 months of age (the infants can’t receive the vaccine) getting vaccinated so they don’t bring the H1N1 virus into their home.

My greatest frustration during the day were those adults who lied to get the vaccine. There was the elderly couple who insisted they were taking care of three grandchildren all under 6 months of age and demanded the flu shot. Hmmm ……. they were having difficulties negotiating the process of just getting the vaccine not alone could I imagine them caring for infants. BUT, I am not the flu police nor do I believe any healthcare professional giving flu shots should be in the position of arguing with those individuals who feel they are entitled to the vaccine. Question them extensively yes but fighting with someone who obviously feels they deserve the flu shot at all costs, well that’s just not the role of a nurse. I feel the responsibility is with the patient – it’s a moral issue in my opinion. Each person who lies to get the H1N1 shot  is taking the vaccine away from a child or a pregnant woman or achronically ill patient or a healthcare worker who are at great risk of getting the H1N1 virus.  But it was my experience that there were a few people during Saturday’s vaccination clinics who either lied or bullied their way into getting the flu shot. Granted they were in the minority and I only worked one clinic but there’s just something that isn’t right about people who lie to get what they want at the expense of the needs of others.