My friend Gord is a fanatic when it comes to vaccinations. He believes it should be mandatory for all except for the most extreme health reasons. While I believe in them I don't like the idea of parents being mandated by the government on the issue. For me, it is the start of a slippery slope. But that's for another day. Today is about my confusion over the health departments way of thinking about them. Well just some of them.
Gardasil 9 is the latest vaccine my kids could receive. This is the male version of the HPV vaccine that is highly recommended for all males starting around age twelve. A few years ago they began giving it to students in grade 7 here in Ontario at the schools. Alex was in 8. The next year they expanded the free program to include grade 8 boys. Alex was in 9. He didn't qualify so we decided to do it on our own.
This is a pricey one. $196 to be precise. Did I mention they will need three does? Almost $600! That is a lot. Luckily we have insurance and each dose will only cost us around $47. Much better but still a good chunk of change for people who are not used to paying for vaccines. The female version is given free of charge up to age 25 I believe. But boys must pay....doesn't seem fair but it is what it is.
One thing I should tell you about Ontario is most pharmacists can give shots. Flu shots, immunizations, and vaccines. We've never used them but many people do especially those who don't have a family doctor or don't want to wait at a clinic. But it's always been nice to know we could if we wanted.
Once we got the prescription for Alex I asked several pharmacies if they could do it. All very nicely said yes they could.....for a convenience fee! The most expensive was $20....per dose! An extra $60 on top of the cost of the vaccine. This fee is NOT covered by insurance or OHIP, our provincial medical coverage. So in a nation that preaches about the goodness of immunizations one they promote isn't covered and neither is the administration of it. Think about that.
Now on principal, I didn't want to spend more money on this particular vaccine. So we went to the public health nurse at the clinic. That's run by the Ministry of Health and to my mind, that should equal free. But alas I was wrong again...$15 a pop. That's more than Costco! Even the group that promotes it makes you pay extra...interesting.
Bottom line we paid the fee. And we will again two more times. It doesn't seem right but again it is what it is. Our kids are lucky. Their parents have the resources to do this. What about those who don't? I have a plea to all those who decide healthcare policy. Make every vaccine free. Free to get and free to be administered. Or stop telling us how great they are. You look like hypocrites.
Ang
