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Socialized Medecine -- the H1N1 vaccine

Yesterday afternoon I left a meeting in the western part of Montreal, and decided that it was the right time to get the H1N1 vaccine. On monday I had checked what was the most convenient local to get the shot, it was at Place Alexi Nihon, a 1960's shopping center near Montreal's old hockey forum (now a cinema).

I arrived at the vaccination center at 16:00, at 16:33 I was all done!


Let me just say that I am part of a "at risk" group because of asthma, two years ago I got a very bad flu during a trip to the Middle East. eventually on my return to Montreal I had to spend the better part of a day in one of Montreal's premier respiratory clinics, it scared the crap out of me, I still remember the technician's look on his face when he reviewed my blood oxigenation level...

So I arrived at the vaccination clinic at 16:00, there were a number of cordonned off segments, the first triage was to determine if I was eligible for the vaccine, I showed my health insurance card (by the Provincial authority), three prescriptions and one of my asthma pumps. I got a card that said 16:00, I was immediately directed to the next queue where my identify was verified (again with my health card) and confirmation that I was taking asthma mediaction.

I was directed to a third queue where eventually (5 minute wait maximum) I spoke with a nurse for a minute or two, where she told me of the potential side effects, made sure I was not allegic to eggs etc etc. Then into a forth queue (I was the only one there), and directed to a nurse who gave me the injection (total time from first arriving on site 15 minutes.

After the injection I was directed to sit in a recovery area for another 15 minutes, total time in Alexi nihon plaza, 33 minutes -- as per my parking ticket.

Update: Turns out that the authorities annouced this morning that they are running out of vaccine (today only) and that some centres will be closed, I also heared of centers where people queu from midnight onwards to get the vaccine.

I was, I guess, a lucky guy!

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