Updating vaccines

In our area, immunizations are now handled through the pharmacies. 

This started just after lockdown, with the later Covid vaccines. Now we get all our shots at Walgreens. 

All our family’s immunization records and medication records are on one system, at Walgreens. 

This is a conscious decision we made years ago - all meds through Walgreens so our medication data is on one system. 

The state of Indiana, like many states, has a database for immunizations. All facilities upload all immunizations to the Indiana state database. Medical providers, including pharmacies, can access the state immunization records database. 

Our PCP is affiliated with the medical network we use with a great data base system. I wrote a post about this on 1/3/25. This system talks to other systems. 

So our immunization records are three places. State database, Walgreens, provider database all have all the shots we get from Walgreens listed.

Note - all my immediate family, including new granddaughter, got flu and Covid shots 2024. None of us had a reaction to the shots, other than a couple of slightly sore arms. 

In the fall of 2024, at Walgreens getting my flu shot and my Covid shot two weeks apart, the pharmacist said I was not up to date on all my vaccinations. That was a surprise. I thought I was very up to date and even had some shots early because I have asthma.

I added “missing vaccinations?” to my list for my PCP (Primary Care Provider who happens to be an internist) appointment. I see him every 6 mos.

I went to my PCP appointment 1/15/25.

I took hardcopy of my immunization records to my PCP appointment. I could not remember if the pharmacist had mentioned a specific shot.  

Some of my shots were given at the doctor I tried for a couple years (different medical record system). I thought that I was actually up to date on my immunizations and the previous doctor’s office had not updated the shots to the state database. Part of the reason I left that previous doctor was poor medical record system. 

We pieced thru my records and all my data appeared to be correct on the state database and my PCP’s database.

I was missing a shot. I had gotten the Pneumonia 13 (2018), the Pneumonia 23 (2019), but was missing the Pneumonia 20 which is the updated version. (There is now a Pneumonia 21).

I went to Walgreens that same night and got my Pneumonia 20 (2024).

I took my husband with me and he got his Pneumonia 20. He had no previous pneumonia shots. I had gotten mine early, because of my asthma. 

While we were there, the tech very carefully went through our records and discovered we were also both missing our Hepatitis B series. Our kids would have gotten these as children, but wasn’t around when we were children. 

At Walgreens on 1/15/25, we both got the first Hep B. We go back on 3/15/25 for the second shot. It is on both our calendars.

With that second shot, I will be up to date. 

My husband needs a RSV shot on 5/24/2026. I got mine last year, I could get it early because of my asthma diagnosis. He needs to get his because he lives with me. But he does not qualify until age 65.

Consolidating medical records

My priority in my medical care, at my current age of 63, includes continuity of care and good medical records. I am seen by all my doctors regularly. I am extremely compliant. My asthma/allergies and arthritis are now manageable. My migraines ceased.

We fill all prescriptions at Walgreens so our medication records are all on one system. I feel very strongly about having a single pharmacy. I use one location in our town the majority of the time. It is open 24/365. 

The Walgreens computer will likely catch drug interaction problems and errors in dosage. Our long history of medications is housed on the Walgreens computer system. When we travel, a Walgreens is usually available. A real person is available by phone or in person. 

Walgreens app is easy to use. I like their notification options. I order and correspond thru the app. My history is readily available on the app, so I can look up past medication.

I also keep a typed list of my current medications under “Walgreens” in the notes section of the address book on my phone. Then I can easily pull it up at medical appointments.

I am in the process of purposely consolidating my doctors for the same reason, to have as many of my medical records as possible on the same computer system. 

This is where I am in my consolidation process -

I have all lab work and scans, including my annual mammogram, done through one/the same medical network specifically, so those records are on one computer system. 

My PCP who happens to be an internist, my cardiologist, my physical therapist, my sleep doctor, and my OBGYN are all in this medical network/same computer system too. 

The PCP and cardiologist and physical therapist are new to me within the last 3-4 years. My sleep doctor was added 2 years ago. My OBGYN is new to me last fall. These were purposeful changes to the same medical network/computer system.

The walk in clinic, that I use for illnesses and injuries, is also in this same medical network/computer. So they have access to all my pertinent/important/main records instantly. 

This walk in clinic has many locations and is open every day 8am-8pm. It is well staffed. If I have a problem, I (now) go quickly. Access to this clinic has increased the speed at which I am seen and improved my quality of life. This is a big change for me.

On the rare occasion I go to the emergency room or am admitted to the hospital, it is in this same medical system/computer.

Starting this year, my colonoscopies will be through this same medical network/computer. I am switching doctors so this happens.

Starting this year, I am also switching my eye doctor. My current ophthalmologist is getting ready to retire. I am proactively switching to a new ophthalmologist who is on the same system as my other doctors. UPDATE - Staying with my original ophthalmologist. There isn’t one available in my primary network. 

I have three sets of doctors, I am keeping so far, who are NOT in my main medical network/computer. They are four orthopedic physicians all in the same practice  (hands, knees, back/neck, feet), my dermatologist, my asthma/allergist. 

I see all those doctors at least once a year. My records with these doctors are on separate systems at each office. 

These stand alone physicians are not easily replaced within my main medical network. So far, it is not causing problems to have the medical records separate.

My ENT is also stand alone. I see that doctor as needed, a few times a decade.

My dentist is also stand alone. I see them every 6 months. Sometimes the dentist refers me to a stand alone oral surgeon, knock on wood, that rarely happens.

Two medicine cabinets

I have discovered if things have a place, I am far less frustrated. If I find a stray pair of shoes, I take them out and put them on the garage shoe rack, with very little thought and no annoyance. This realization/coping mechanism has made a huge, positive difference in my life. 

I wipe the bathroom counter and sinks most mornings, just before I hop in the shower. There is always a little something on the counter on my husband’s side. I put it away, no problem, because it is usually just one little thing. 

If I went weeks without wiping the counter, lots of things would collect on his side and my side. So the wiping serves two purposes - decluttering and actual scrub/cleaning. 

Last month, cleaning out the computer room, I found about a half dozen containers of dental floss. I put it all in my husband’s medicine cabinet. But then in subsequent days, putting things from the counter to the cupboard, floss kept falling on my head.

I have learned, to truly organize a space, I must pull everything out and start fresh.

Note: in the above picture, I had already put all the floss in a long/skinny basket. There was a lot of floss. Those baskets work GREAT in medicine cabinets, I have one in mine too (below). All the moisturizer bottles in mine, tip out on my head easily. That basket works wonders at keeping them steady.  

While his cabinet was empty, I scrubbed it and actually reduced the number of shelves. I had done the same thing in mine previously. Less shelves made for better storage in both cabinets. 

I was going to have my husband go thru his medicine cabinet  pile on the counter, but decided to look at expiration dates and pitch the old stuff first. Much of it dated back to 2014-16, by the time I pulled the expired stuff, the rest was very simple, and I reorganized it in his cabinet. 

What is very interesting about this process, was the week before we started on on the computer room, my husband had me add dental floss to the grocery order.  

Once it was all together in one spot, so much dental floss. I have found this with many other areas of the house, like rubber bands. Once they have ONE designated spot, it is startling how much there is. 

Forever known as BAD ASTHMA JULY 2018

This week and part of next, a food and Med schedule:

6am
Food
Oral steroid
Zpac

10am
Two inhalers

Noon (food)

6pm
Food (last food of the day)
Oral steroid

10pm
One Inhaler
My regular meds

Nebulizer every 4-6 hours as I want it. Hint - I want it, every 4 hours. I can't make it past 4.