No swine flu shots for those over 65: Is this age discrimination?

Published on Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:35 AM MST

Dear Community Citizens over 65:

How many of you have had this problem, and how many of us will have even a greater problem of this type in the future?

Two weeks ago, I called the Graham County Health Depart-ment to ask when the swine flu shot would be available, and I mentioned my health issues. I was told to call in two weeks. I did. That was Thursday, Nov. 11. I called twice, asking what I needed to bring with me for the shot. I was told nothing, as long as I meet the criteria. I was NOT told that this particular clinic was for 65 and under.

I was told the shot would be given between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. I asked, "Are you taking names; is there any other way we can sign up?" The receptionist said, "No, you would fill out a paper outside before you are called in." It is a 20-mile trip one way for me to the Health Department. My caregivers have told me that I qualify due to the number of chronic health conditions I have, and my clinic does not, nor does it plan to, give the swine flu shots.

I got in line, was given a form to fill out, and when I checked all the criteria that applied, I told the male attendant that the form I had did not include anyone over 65, and I am 68. He said to come back in two or three weeks. There were several other older citizens over 65 there also. I spoke to one gentleman, and he said, "I hope I am alive in three weeks to get a shot." A member of his household is a teen and has a chronic health condition, and he is a caregiver for the child. He also has numerous chronic conditions. I told him a member of my household is in a position that puts me at a higher risk for the flu.

Neither the gentleman nor I was asked if there were any other circumstances we should discuss with the attendant. The attendant turned to a young mother and told her they were really pushing the nasal spray that day. Yet standing there beside the attendant were adults with that and other qualifying criteria. There was another older gentleman in line who told the attendant he had asthma and his teenager lived with him; he was told he was not eligible.

I totally and completely support protecting anyone who is susceptible to the swine flu. That includes even the people who were in line that day who were over 65 years of age. I am thankful for a country that would and does provide this type of protection to its citizens. A great deal of information has been aired about the pandemic/swine flu, which is the way the United States surgeon general referred to this outbreak on the news Nov. 11, 2009.

My question to those of you over 65: Is this age discrimination? Is this just the beginning of limited care for those of us 65 or older? Watch out; there is more coming. Are you paying attention?

Helen Cooper

Pima

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Comments

15 comment(s)

patricia gooding wrote on Dec 2, 2009 6:31 PM:

" I'm over 65, but I take care of my grandson, age 1 1/2. Does this mean I am, or am not eligible for the swine flu shot? "

seriously Norm wrote on Nov 24, 2009 10:35 AM:

" smoking is going to kill you before some flu "

Norm wrote on Nov 24, 2009 10:10 AM:

" Thank Ye, Helen! I got the same tale, first on the phone, then the other in person.
"Fortunately", after I related that I had COPD and
a number of other Health Issues, but only after it was determined that I was 4 years below 65, a
Head Nurse gave me the shot.

It might, as some claim, kill me but, had I caught the Swine Flu it, almost certainly, would have killed me.

All Flu Strains mutate each year. There is no Immunity. Age discrimination? YES! "

get a grip wrote on Nov 24, 2009 7:43 AM:

" Are you serious? What is it about the word discrimination that every body loves so much? Nowadays everything is "discrimination." Next time I go to the store and go to a check out that has a white person behind it I guess thats discrinating against the black and mexican checkers. HAHAHA! Did it ever cross your mind that some things arent discrimination, but are just done for a good reason? Do you even care how you sound? "

Pat wrote on Nov 24, 2009 4:28 AM:

" Helen is not whining, she is pointing out the facts. Open your eyes and see what is coming down the pike. "

Joe wrote on Nov 23, 2009 2:49 PM:

" You're not getting it because, if you had researched this at all, you would realize you don't need it. While I'm sure you'd love to consume scarce lifesaving resources to make yourself feel better, fortunately the CDC has some sense. "

swine flu joke wrote on Nov 23, 2009 1:58 PM:

" Deaths from regular flu + 17,000-52,000 per year..............
Deaths from swine flu total this year 3,900...............
The jokes on us! Just some pharmaceutical company banking on publics fear. Not age discrimination old people just don’t need it, no one does for that matter. just wash your hands and dont suck face with anyone under 65 and you will be ok "

Editor wrote on Nov 23, 2009 12:55 PM:

" This is a letter to the editor from a community member. "

LMB wrote on Nov 23, 2009 9:44 AM:

" Did you do any research for this article? As a journalist, you should be ashamed for publishing such a poor article. Did you even bother to visit the CDC website? "

Dave wrote on Nov 23, 2009 9:22 AM:

" Why are you writing and publishing an article without thoroughly researching the topic?

Due to previous strains of the flu that have made their rounds, older individuals are often immune. This isn't as big of a risk for them. Since there is a shortage of the vaccine, it's being given to those most likely to catch the flu and those most likely to suffer a severe illness or complications.

If you had performed ANY research you would know this. Here, maybe this link will help: W-W-W.lmgtfy.com/?q=CDC+swine+flu+over+65 "

Tymac wrote on Nov 23, 2009 7:18 AM:

" The policy on those over 65 with regards to the swine flu may not be politically correct, but it makes sense. I'm over 70, so I guess I have the right to stick my nose into the issue ! ! "

Pat wrote on Nov 23, 2009 5:50 AM:

" I agree with Helen and Jason, this is just the start of what this current government wants, to let the older people go without. "

AZ wrote on Nov 22, 2009 9:16 PM:

" I went to my regualr doctor to get my families seasonal flu shots and the nurse said when the swine flu was available, we could go back to get that also if we chose. She also said ANYONE (no matter their health conditions) will NOT be allowed to get the shot because they have already lived thru a bad outbreak of the swine flu and are immune to it. This is NOT age discrimination. Quit complaining. "

Ryan wrote on Nov 22, 2009 12:56 PM:

" It's not age discrimination. Seeing as the over 65 have some natural immunity, 95 % of the deaths are in people under the age of 65. So whats the point in wasting some vaccine on the over 65's ? It's more likely your children or grandchildren will die from swine flu "

Jason wrote on Nov 22, 2009 12:18 PM:

" Yes get use to it. With the government health care bill presently in the senate containing over 500 BILLION dollars in cuts old folks are going to start losing a lot. Its not a death panel its not rationing care its just giving care to those that still produce taxes and not drain social sercurity. But hey 54% of the population voted him in so this is what you get. "

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