H1N1 Vaccination for Mom--one day after her 95th birthday

In several other posts I have written about the H1N1 vaccination.  Today my mother received her H1N1 vaccination at the Carol Stream Dominicks' pharmacy--one day after her 95th birthday.

On December 18th the Centers for Disease Control  (CDC) authorized the H1N1 vaccine for anyone who wanted the vaccination.  The Carol Stream Dominicks pharmacy received 160 doses.

The earlier information from the CDC indicated that, once sufficient supplies were available, everyone who wanted a vaccination should get one.  Mom had her seasonal flu shot (also at the same Dominicks) on August 26th and we had to wait until they received their supply yesterday--on Mom's birthday.  We chose to get the vaccination the day after her birthday.

We have both been fortunate to have had both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot without showing any flu-like symptoms this year.

What if—everything were perfect—just the way it is?-- Unemployed teachers vs. a National Reserve of Qualified (and Vaccinated) SubstituteTeachers

Many teachers find themselves without teaching positions at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year. School districts released teachers at the end of the 2008-2009 school year and have fewer positions to offer in this school year.

While frustrating to many, this situation may lead to a greater quantity of qualified substitute teachers available this year—a time when the nation is gearing up to confront the H1N1 (Swine flu) virus. The Centers for Disease Control want schools to stay open and infected students and staff to stay home. There may be a greater need for qualified substitute teachers than in many previous years.

Of course, those substitute teachers need to get their flu vaccines (starting today), to register as substitutes, and to stay healthy. Imagine, rather than being an unemployed teacher, these unemployed teachers may be part of a national reserve of healthy, certified, substitute teachers available to help meet a potential crisis in our nations’ schools.

Thanks, teachers, for being part of this national reserve. Now make sure you are registered as substitute teachers and get your vaccinations as soon as you can.