Shooting messenger
The Herald-Standard does not have the flu vaccine locked away in its vault. Not one vial. Apparently some people aren’t convinced of this, because their doctors’ offices have told them to call the newspaper if they want a flu shot. This appears to be a case of shoot the messenger. We recently published a story that quoted a health department spokeswoman as saying the county received two shipments of the scarce vaccine. It was to be distributed to physicians who had ordered it and were on the waiting list. She wouldn’t say how many doses or where they went, but rather advised that people “keep checking with your doctor.”
That apparently was the last thing that physicians’ offices that weren’t on the list wanted to hear. Instead of advising people that their complaints should be with a health department that gives out scanty bits of information, they took it out on us. We heard directly from some offices and indirectly from many patients who were advised to call us.
We gave them the health department’s number, which probably did them little good. What patients need, and what doctors’ offices ought to be supplying is information on how best to avoid catching the flu. But if that is unsuccessful, how best to treat the viral infection.
What patients don’t need is exasperation and misdirection from office receptionists. Physicians heal thy staff.