Monday, October 24, 2016

THE FLU SHOT !

    Yes, I got my flu shot today.  For the last 15 years I have been getting a flu shot annually. Before that I did not get a flu shot as I considered myself to be healthy and (a) had enough resistance to ward off the flu and (b) I didn't think the shot did much good and maybe it did harm.

    Well, the micro manager's strong influence finally persuaded me to get a flu shot and I've been getting one every since. Now I haven't had a flu. But I never had a flu before.

    However , I couldn't help but make some observations  today. The kind of observation about red tape, bloated bureaucracy!
“We should never underestimate the flu,” said Health Minister Eric Hoskins.

    First there was a table inside the door where we were given forms and told what to do. They also took a look at my health card. Alright I filled out the form and went to the next table. They also checked my health card and found that I put my birth date down as 2016. Embarrassing.

    Next I went to the person who tells you which nurse to go to. Oh yes , I had an appointment today so I got to go to the front of the line.

    Okay , I meet Bonnie the nurse. First thing, she needs my health card! Then I get the long quiz about the status of my health diabetes and on and on. Then I get the info on how the serum is made and  why. I get more questions about my reaction to flu shots. I get told what to do after my flu shot and what to look for and what to do if bad stuff happened.

    Anticlimax. I get the shot. This took close to thirty minutes. The shot took less than 10 seconds.

    I couldn't help but think what these clinics were like when I was a kid. We were immunized for scarlet fever, measles etc. We received boosters and re immunization on a regular basis. How was it done? The old doc lined us up and wham, wham, wham, we were done. A nurse recorded the shot on our immunization card and we were done. Mom and Dad weren't there and off we went.

    So what has happened that we need such a complicated procedure. One thing that comes to mind is legal ramifications. They have to go through all the hoops because of possible law suits. Our health system has become very costly as so much has to be done from a legal standpoint. We are also money counters! Every cent has to be accounted for at both ends. Why can't we keep it simple?