6 week immunisations

Apparently here in Durban the health department wont give the state injections to any storks nest or pharmacy clinic, so unless you go to a state clinic you are forced to do the private. I phoned around and if I go up to Pietermaritzburg I can have the state ones done for R20 at a pharmacy clinic, thats a huge saving. Kellan is way overdue for his vaccinations, he is already 12wks and hasnt even had the 6wk ones as he was still in Nicu. Im nervous to give him the state ones as he had so many health issues, what do you ladies think, do you think the state ones give more reactions than the private?

Listen you do not know snob until you have met me ... so if I could tuck my tail between my legs and go to the Bothasig Clinic, then you must realise that pretty much anyone could go there.

I won't even go to the Shoprite in Bothasig ... I know I will be judged later, but that is another story.

I really expected the worst, and once I took a deep breath, I realised it really is not bad.

Baby immunisations are only done Monday through Thursday. You arrive and drop your card into the little brown box by the receptionist's desk - if you do not have a clinic card, then drop the form you where given from the hospital with your baby's weight etc on it.

The receptionsist comes along every 10 minutes or so and empties the box and then makes out a "clinic folder" for you if you have not been there.

These are then taken to the first clinic sister.

She calls out your name, and you go to the first room, where baby is weighed and measured. It really is very clean. I still used wipes and so on, but that is just me.

From there you dress baby and head to a second waiting area where you now wait for the clinic nurse who will do the injections.

You are called from there and you go in and the injections are done in the nurses office. All very clean, very organised and you really get a sense that the staff are interested and really caring.

I dropped my other kids off at school and arrived there around 8h15 or so. I waited maybe 15 minutes in the first waiting area, and maybe 15 - 30 minutes in the second waiting area.

There are typical government benches that you sit on - and often there are other kids there, some who are sick and need to see the nurse.

Especially when my daughter was very small, I just sat slightly away, there is enough space so you do not feel like any one is on top of you, and it was fine.

There are no treehouse prints, and nice soft breastfeeding cushions, but it is efficient and clean. The downside is you wait a little, but it is not like you are there all day.

And I was really impressed by how caring the nurses were.

I hope that answers some of your questions.

@Reluctant Mom - please tell me more about the bothasig clinic, I am really considering going there as I will save so much money, but like you I am also a bit of a snob in the fact that I don't want to go to the state clinic as I don't want to wait around for long with all the sick people around us!

How does their system work there, do they have different waiting areas/stations for baby immunisations or do you have to wait with all the other "sick" people and wait your turn?
What time is best to go?
How many people were there about?

Please tell me more!!!

So glad I have found someone that went there.

Bundle you will be able to get it free. 3-6 months at a time.

Hi Julz

They have revamped the bothasig clinic I think in 2008. Not sure if it is still in the same area.

Hey maybe I can get my Microval free there at the same time

I just realised I used to get my bc there when I was at school.

Is it in the hall rm?

Thank you Ladies for all this info, I have phoned around to Dischem, Clicks Pharmacy, Panorama Breast feeding clinic and all give the state vaccines free, but I have to pay for the Prevanar and rotarex, which ends up being so pricey and none of them have these vaccines available.

So I phoned the Bothasig Clinic which is close to me and they give all the vaccines plus the prevanar and rotarex for free.

@Reluctant Mom - please tell me more about the bothasig clinic, I am really considering going there as I will save so much money, but like you I am also a bit of a snob in the fact that I don't want to go to the state clinic as I don't want to wait around for long with all the sick people around us!

How does their system work there, do they have different waiting areas/stations for baby immunisations or do you have to wait with all the other "sick" people and wait your turn?
What time is best to go?
How many people were there about?

Please tell me more!!!

So glad I have found someone that went there.