Comment by terminalshort
3 hours ago
That is terribly difficult. Why the hell do I have to make an appointment weeks in advance, then take time out of my day just to get permission from some asshole who asks about my sexual history? Why can't I just walk up to the counter, say "I'll take one HPV vaccine please" and pay the money? If you want me to get vaccinated make it easy.
You can make an appointment at eg Walgreens (and probably also CVS) and pay out of pocket for the Gardasil-9 HPV vaccination without any consultation with or referral from a GP (General Practitioner) or a Specialist.
Gardasil https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardasil
https://www.google.com/search?q=gardasil+shot+cost
https://www.goodrx.com/gardasil-9/how-much-is-gardasil-witho... :
> When you have your first shot is the main factor that determines whether you will need 2 doses or 3 doses
> Without insurance, the average price of 1 dose of Gardasil is $368.82. But you could pay as little as $169.50 with a GoodRx coupon at certain pharmacies
A prescription is only required for insurance reimbursement fwiu
Because we over-rely on insurance for routine medical care, when really insurance should just be reserved for the catastrophic and everything else out of pocket (and/or directly subsidized).
I agree with that, and I don't have a problem with insurance companies demanding a doctor's approval before paying. What I have a problem with is that I can't even pay my own way without a doctor.
My GP just offered it during my physical along with the flu and COVID booster. I declined the COVID booster since I had just gotten a mild case a couple months back. Got two shots in the left arm, was sore for a day and that was that.
This is why you have to go to the grey market for medical stuff in the USA anymore. Every rich celebrety, and women with body dysmorphia knows how easy it is to get GLP-1s right now. Good and thank goodness for it.
Deregulating medical systems regarding patient choice and access to drugs is good, but you'll eventually get some bootlicker claiming that "we can't do that because SOMEONE WITH A VIRUS MIGHT USE AN ANTIBIOTIC INCORRECTLY" while ignoring the mass consumption of antibiotics by farm animals as a vector for super bugs.
Antibiotics are actually an exception to my general opinion that all medications should be available without prescription. Unlike most drugs, their use has major externalities which means there is a role for larger societal regulation of their use.
Also, are farms actually the major vector for antibiotic resistance in the human population? I was under the impression that the majority of antibiotic resistant infections occur in places like hospitals rather than among farm workers, which would seem to indicate farm animals are not the main problem (I 100% support banning the practice anyway).
Not to mention farm animals being the source of most if not all flu strains.