I've only gotten the flu shot three times. Each time I ended up getting the flu anyway. I no longer get the flu shot - my odds are better without it.

Jen, I've heard a lot of stories like yours (although at least you're not claiming you got the flu from your flu shots, like some I know). Everyone should know by now that the shots are good against only one primary strain of flu and if it mutates or a different kind breaks out in your area, you're not protected.

I'm not going to lose any sleep over not getting the shot this season. We'll see how it goes.

I did hear someone today predict an additional 10,000 deaths and 100,000 hospitalizations this season due to the lack of vaccine. Statistically, those aren't huge numbers, but from an absolute perspective, it's a real shame.

I am not particularly concerned for myself. But I am somewhat worried about the elderly in my sphere of influence. For instance, I took my 89 year old father-in-law to his primary care physician for a flu vaccine, after phoning in advance to be sure of availability, to be told that the last one had been given to the elderly lady signing in at the registry just in front of us. Sadly, when we attempted to get a shot at the clinic offered at a grocery store pharmacy before the official starting time had even begun, we were told once again that the last vaccine had already been assigned to someone else. My own parents had planned to take advantage of the flu shot day at Health and Senior Services, planned for some time the end of this month. According to today's paper, such centers may not receive the requested vials.

No doubt other elderly folks are finding themselves in this situation. Praying for the health of my loved ones will be a higher priority this fall and winter.

It's not clear to me that if an 89 year old doesn't qualify for high priority, just who will.

Who will? Oh that's easy (and I quote from today's newspaper.)

"...elderly patients 65 years or older who have a documented chronic health condition or children up to 23 months old".

In other words, adults have to be old, already sick, and be able to prove it.

...that, or they just have to be a health care professional, close personal friends with a health care professional, politically "connected", or just plain wealthy.

Those kinds of people and their families are always going to get access to vital medication, regardless of what kind of "regulations" are governing its distribution.