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mr. flea, being an employee of the Federal Government, is getting a free seasonal flu shot at work at some point. Apparently they just show up and jab everyone. (He is also now prohibited from texting while driving a government vehicle!) Go team Socialism!

I used to get a flu shot at work - they'd do several clinics on campus, usually one in the library, and you just had to line up, bring ID, and there you were. Often the line was long unless you timed it well, but since it was generally made up of coworkers, fairly jolly. And by "long," I mean half an hour. Go team University Hospital!

The kids got shots at regular fall doctor's appointments, or the Saturday flu shot clinic at their doctor, which took appointments at 15 minute intervals.

Our options now? I can get a shot at the Uggaversity Clinic (paying $25), or at various local clinics (i.e. the one in Target last Saturday that I missed) (paying $25), or at my doctor when my doctor gets the seasonal flu vaccine (originally told us Oct. 1, now saying they don't have it yet and check back Thursday.)

Casper can get a flu shot at our family doctor, too, when they get some. And they told mr. flea on the phone today that they wouldn't charge for an appointment, we could just bring her by any time (really? I'll believe it when I see it). But Dillo can't, as they aren't getting the vaccine for kids under 4. So far I have called or looked at a variety possible places to get him a flu shot (I'd be willing to pay): County health clinic? Flu shots only for Medicaid patients. Uggaversity? Staff only (and students, etc. - unclear if they have any kid vaccine anyway). Clinics at Target, Public, CVS? Vaccine only available for children over 10, or people over 18. Other clinic finders helpfully suggested by our insurance company? None in our area (I live in a city of 100,000 people, not the boondocks!)

We're planning to switch the kids to a pediatrician next year; unfortunately there are very few pediatricians who accept our current insurance, open enrollment for both our health plans isn't until November, and won't take effect until January. I guess I should be glad that Dillo is the kid who is never sick, and I should be able to get the one who's had pneumonia and gets a hacking chest cold every fall vaccinated, I hope?
flea: (Default)
Yesterday, among other first-day-at-new-job rigamaroles, mr. flea had to go to a police station and be fingerprinted. He also was informed that he cannot put a presidential campaign bumper sticker on a vehicle he brings to work, since he is employed by the Executive Branch. It appears he may demonstrate partisanship at home and off the clock. I asked if he could display a bumper sticker supporting a senatorial campaign (for example), and he was uncertain. Luckily we are not bumper sticker people.

He also had to swear, aloud, that he was not a terrorist and would support the US government. I had to swear a loyalty oath to the state of Georgia, stating that I would not attempt to overthrow the government (or the federal government for good measure), but I just had to sign a document and get it notarized, not swear aloud. Those federales are hard core.

This week the urgent task is to decide on a health insurance plan. I have 5 choices available to me at work, and mr. flea has at least 8 (some of which are national, and some of which are local.) I have no idea how to decide among them; even eliminating the outliers (high-deductible health savings, boutique packages) it's hard to compare them all. Many seem very much alike, but then the costs are strikingly different, and why?, who knows. Ah, single-payer coverage, how I wish for you!

And then, dental. Ugh.

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