As you know, Chile is in the southern hemisphere, which means it is seasonally opposite of the US. Because of that, and because of the excellent health system in Chile, there is a huge influenza vaccination campaign similar to that in the states. Just like in the US, many employers provide the vaccine to their employees on a particular day on site, and for those populations who are more vulnerable (elderly, infants, pregnant women), the vaccine is provided for free (it actually may be free for others, but that is not clear to me). The trick is that instead of a Walgreens or CVS pharmacy, you have to go to a vacunatorio. The general process to get a vaccine is to go to a doctor, who then writes you a script, and then you take that to the vacunatorio where a nurse administers it. My understanding is sometimes you need a script for a vaccine (like one for hepatitis A or something), and other times you don't (like influenza). Either way, I went to my OB here, and he wrote a script for both me and Sadie (yeah both of us...) just so it would be easier for me (i.e., I wouldn't have to try to explain why I was there [as you know, my Spanish is still a work in progress]).
Once you arrive at the clinic, you take a number (like everywhere here - from the pharmacy [even if you're just buying diapers] to the cell phone store). When they call your number it's like the DMV where it says "198 caja 3", and you take your script and passport to register. After you check in you wait until you're called to the back (no one can pronounce Shaul, it's kind of hilarious), and you just get your shots. Whole vaccine process from start to finish took us maybe 35 minutes. Really not bad, but I imagine it could be much longer if it's more crowded.Worst part is you can hear all the babies and kids crying the whole time...
I bought Sadie her favorite snack mix in the vending machine, so she is in a good mood until she sees the shots... (snack mix is a combo of cheetos, ruffles and potato stix - really healthy I know...)
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