If last weekend's experience getting the H1N1 shot was any indication of what we can expect from makeshift clinics, a government plan shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.
Sunday morning, I dragged the kidlets to an uptown clinic I'd found on
nyc.gov/flu.
My thought was that they might have a shot at THE shot.
I was a bit apprehensive, anticipating a long line with whiny children; but in keeping with the philosophy that our life in New York City is one big adventure, we headed out. By 8:55 a.m., the three of us joined the queue for admission into P.S. 290 at 311 East 82nd Street.
When we arrived, orange-vested "Flow Monitors" directed us toward the end of the block-and-a-half-long line.
A handful of police officers were on watch to make sure the crowd didn't become unruly. "It won't hurt," said a jovial cop to one of my kids, even though, at age 12 and 15, they knew this to be a lie.
Click here to see the list of locations.
In the end, about 75 minutes from start to finish, I was left with the sense that it was a crucial service our city is offering its citizens. The shots are delivered with benevolent efficiency and good cheer. Pretty great for a make shift clinic.