Polio Vaccination

1

1meanteacher

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Feb 24, 2017
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I took my DS to our family doctor last week to get all the required vaccinations he needs before reporting to BCT, and our doctor only had the polio combination vaccine that's administered to infants. He said it wouldn't be a problem to give it to a teenager, but insurance wouldn't pay for it. I've called our health department and every pharmacy in town, and no one has the adult polio vaccination. Several places said they could order it, but it only comes in doses of 10, and they don't need the other nine doses. Has anyone else encountered this problem, and if so, do you have any suggestions?
 
Have you checked with our City/County Health Department? If they can't help you get some, they can probably help you find out the best place to go! (They are a great resource!)

What a crazy thing to find out, eh?!
 
If worse comes to worse I don't see why you couldn't let it slide until he reports, and have it done then.
 
Last year, I didn't expect our insurance to cover the polio or TB tine, but they did since the doctor's office coded under well child. They even covered the chickpox titer.

Before foregoing any immunization, contact the Academy, I believe there is a phone number provided on the form. They will make a note in the appointee's record so there will not be issues on I-Day.
 
sherrie said:
is gardasil HPV one of the vaccines?
Click to expand...
HPV is under "Recommended Vaccinations". You would need 3 doses.

On the Immunizations form it states: "HPV available for series start or completion at the USAFA immunizations clinic. HPV is not a mandatory vaccine and will not be given at in processing."
 
xcmum said:
sherrie said:
is gardasil HPV one of the vaccines?
Click to expand...
HPV is under "Recommended Vaccinations". You would need 3 doses.

On the Immunizations form it states: "HPV available for series start or completion at the USAFA immunizations clinic. HPV is not a mandatory vaccine and will not be given at in processing."
Click to expand...

That series takes 6-mos minimum to complete. There is a minimum required time between each shot.
 
1meanteacher said:
I took my DS to our family doctor last week to get all the required vaccinations he needs before reporting to BCT, and our doctor only had the polio combination vaccine that's administered to infants. He said it wouldn't be a problem to give it to a teenager, but insurance wouldn't pay for it. I've called our health department and every pharmacy in town, and no one has the adult polio vaccination. Several places said they could order it, but it only comes in doses of 10, and they don't need the other nine doses. Has anyone else encountered this problem, and if so, do you have any suggestions?
Click to expand...

We only had issues with the titer. Nobody (CVS, Clinics, etc) would do it without doctors orders and his former pediatrician, my doctor or my wifes doctor would not see him. Seems silly to have to establish him as a new patient with a local doctor just to have that done, only to never see that doctor again. Frustrating!
 
That's odd that his doctor would not see him for this. Our family doctor was happy to write the order for the titer tests, and according to my insurance (BCBS), they will pay for it. I agree that it's silly to have to establish him as a new patient with a new doctor. I wonder if your health department would do the titers? I don't know about you, but I feel like I have so much other stuff to prepare for my son's departure (and finishing his senior year of high school), I don't want to waste a lot of time taking care of this small stuff that shouldn't be a big deal. Yes, it's quite frustrating!
 
DS ended up getting his at a Kroger pharmacy (Kroger is a grocery store chain for those that not be familiar with it.) They were very helpful in contrast to the local health department. The local Health Dept. was of no help because they wouldn't recognize the military doctor's order as a valid order. It was a true "smh" moment. So much for public service.
 
parktrack said:
DS ended up getting his at a Kroger pharmacy (Kroger is a grocery store chain for those that not be familiar with it.) They were very helpful in contrast to the local health department. The local Health Dept. was of no help because they wouldn't recognize the military doctor's order as a valid order. It was a true "smh" moment. So much for public service.
Click to expand...

Can I ask what state you're in? We're in Kentucky, and the pharmacist at our Kroger said she couldn't even order it. I also went to Walgreen's, and the pharmacist said the vaccination laws vary by state. If that's the case, maybe we could get it in a neighboring state. Our health department, like yours, was less than helpful. I'm just thankful I started looking early!
 
1meanteacher, contact the Academy. I believe there is a phone number on the immunization form, and explain your dilemma. There is a good chance they will say it is not a problem and have you annotate it on the form. They will also have it in their records. On I-Day, the immunization will be given. No big deal.
 
1meanteacher said:
parktrack said:
DS ended up getting his at a Kroger pharmacy (Kroger is a grocery store chain for those that not be familiar with it.) They were very helpful in contrast to the local health department. The local Health Dept. was of no help because they wouldn't recognize the military doctor's order as a valid order. It was a true "smh" moment. So much for public service.
Click to expand...

Can I ask what state you're in? We're in Kentucky, and the pharmacist at our Kroger said she couldn't even order it. I also went to Walgreen's, and the pharmacist said the vaccination laws vary by state. If that's the case, maybe we could get it in a neighboring state. Our health department, like yours, was less than helpful. I'm just thankful I started looking early!
Click to expand...

Live in WV but the Kroger was in Ohio. So the vaccine was administered in Ohio.
 
xcmum said:
sherrie said:
is gardasil HPV one of the vaccines?
Click to expand...
HPV is under "Recommended Vaccinations". You would need 3 doses.

On the Immunizations form it states: "HPV available for series start or completion at the USAFA immunizations clinic. HPV is not a mandatory vaccine and will not be given at in processing."
Click to expand...


Thank you very much for letting me know. I am glad it is not a required vaccine nor will it be given unless requested. We are still waiting to hear if DD will get an appointment.
 
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