Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Ouch- my arm is sore

I have finally had the H1N1 vaccine.  I may have had to spend over 2 hours in a doctor's waiting room but the deed is done.  Judging my my experience this morning I am of the opinion that it may not have been much of a preventative measure.  I spent a morning in close confines with a group of very ill people (in a doctor's waiting room- surely not?) who all seemed to be coughing and spluttering- not a handkerchief in sight.

Hopefully the new vaccination centres that are opening around Hungary will make getting the vaccination easier.

I now have to get the Kids vaccinated....

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

In print


I have had a photograph included in this month's issue of The Lonely Planet magazine.  Go to page 6- it is the sledging scene on the bottom left corner.  It is small but it is a start.

In some ways I cannot wait until it gets really cold again.  It is nice  to be able to go out without 4 layers of clothes on though.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Anti viro



Hungary has it's very own home produced vaccination against H1N1.  This vaccination has just been licensed by the World Health Organisation.  The vaccine seems to be being produced in reasonable amounts- about 2 million doses have been made available so far.  I was asked at the Nursery if I wanted to get the Kids immunised.  A doctor would come to the Nursery and it would not be a problem.  I said yes.  The next day I was told that there had been so few consents from parents that the immunisation was being abandoned.  If I want the Kids vaccinated I have to go to the family doctor.  This raises two questions:
  1. I do not have a "family doctor".  The Kids and I have not needed to visit a doctor since arriving here.  Hubby has a doctor who is very nice apparently.  I would like for the Kids and myself to get the jabs at the same time- they are not at all keen and seeing me get one might help.  Hungary seems to have strict demarcation with GPs- children have special doctors just for them.  If need be we will go separately and I will find a doctor for the Kids.  None of the children's doctors speak English here but at least the Kids will be able to understand.
  2. If the parents at the Nursery are refusing vaccination do they know something that I do not.  Is it safe?  Should I be giving it to my kids?  Is the Media exaggerating the risks?
So I am in a bit of a quandary.  I am going to phone the doctor tomorrow and ask.  At least there is vaccine available here- unlike in the USA and Canada where there are shortages.

What would you do?