Another day of trying to schedule for an COVID vaccine appointment without any luck.

[clutterbox1830]

Note, I'm just venting, so let me rant.

I've been trying to schedule a vaccine for my parent's since they qualify for phase 1A status in the state of PA a month ago.
Both of my parents are over 75 with health issues (although i know most ppl above 60 are as well).

Each morning and throughout the day, I login to the state's covid website and sign up / call to every pharmacy/hospital that is marked to distribute the vaccine in my area. I usually don't get any response back besides an occasional email that we will contact you if available to schedule for an appointment. I was to find a vaccine scheduling available if I'm willing to drive to another state (approximately 4-5 hours away). My parents are not down with that since long road trip really takes a toll on them. So all I can do is try again and wait. Am I doing something wrong?

To add insult to injure, couple of my "friends" were able to secure vaccine by lying on their applications. They are healthy and in their 20s and work for a major health care provider. They do not work in a medical profession though. They are IT professionals and wfh too. They mark themselves as medical staff anyways and no one really checks on their employment status. Honestly, I could do that too, but I don't think it right for me to cheat the system. I will hate myself if I get the vaccine before my parents.

This is a frustrating process and my state needs to do a better job. Their website is not helpful at all. Honestly, fb signup are more reliable in finding one. However, PA residents shouldn't need to scour social media to find an appointment.

I am happy (albeit a bit jealous) for everyone who was able to get the vaccine, but not there are plenty of ppl like me who are struggling to find an appointment's available. It is even more frustrating to hear some ppl are able to get multiple vaccine for "just in case" purposes. All I'm saying if you do get the vaccine, please just don't brag about it.

rant off.

[Wicked Blue]

1. That's awful

County health department?
Office on Aging?

[clutterbox1830]

4. County health department only directs you back to the state's website and the circle continues.

[Drahthaardogs]

2. Hell, I'm part of the emergency response team

And I can’t get one. Crazy!

[clutterbox1830]

3. Wow! I'm sorry to hear. Thank you for your service and i hope you are able to get one.

[Drahthaardogs]

5. Everyone WANTS to give me one

But no one will. It’s crazy

[Irish_Dem]

6. Time to start calling our state and federal representatives?

The sign up systems are a total disgrace.

My age group opens next Monday.
I am already starting to play the Hunger Game routine with the websites.
If I don't have an appointment in a week, I am calling all my government representatives.
And the CEOs of the local hospitals.

[frazzled]

9. You can't spin gold out of straw

If there’s not enough vaccine to go around, you’ll just have to wait your turn, like everybody else. Everyone wants one ... and you are not different. Remember, there is always someone who needs it just as much as you, and probably more.

The supplies are being ramped up, but that can’t happen all at once by someone snapping their fingers. I would highly advise against making angry calls.

[Irish_Dem]

11. I am very willing to wait my turn. I am not a greedy, demanding person.

I have spent my whole life taking care of other people and putting them first.
So I am well used to delaying my needs for others.

I am objecting to the process, not the reality of the shortage.

It is crazy. Having to go to multiple sites every morning.
Everything confusing and crazy.

It is easier to make a McDonald's order.

I object to the vaccine sign up procedures.

[frazzled]

13. I agree that they are severely lacking

I am lucky to have a health care provider (hospital) that has said they will contact me to schedule the appointment (don’t call us, we’ll call you). I’ve given up pretty much on looking for pharmacy slots, and although I signed up on the government site, I know I should not have : the city is begging people to let those slots be for people without insurance and/or who are in underserved communities. I was just feeling desperate one day, and I’ll have to grapple with whether to accept an appointment if offered one.

[frazzled]

7. We can't get one yet either

I am just trying to be patient and wait till I am contacted, as promised. It is frustrating, but I know that supplies are limited. In my city, there are 650,000 people eligible in the current category (65+ and certain essential workers). But we are still only getting 34,000 doses per week. Hopefully, the supply will ramp up in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, I’m kind of glad to wait another few weeks: a week and a half ago I had to go in for my second dose of the Shingrix vaccine that had been scheduled last August for this January. You’re not supposed to take the COVID vaccine if you had another vaccine within the last 2-3 weeks. So I’ll be thrilled to get that call in another week or two!

[spinbaby]

8. Pennsylvania's system sucks

I have an appointment in three weeks only because I have a friend who was stalking appointments and alerted me to Rite Aid appointments coming online.

[LuvNewcastle]

10. I hope there will be more vaccines allocated to your state soon.

In my state, quite a lot of people are eligible to get the vaccine now, but it really isn't all that hard to get an appointment. I think it's because of all of the ignorance out there about it; a lot of people are scared of it. I've even been told by nurses that they weren't going to get their vaccines, at least not for a while. My dad said it was "survival of the fittest at work," which is hilarious coming from him, an evangelical, quoting Darwin. I said, "yeah, that just means there's more for the rest of us." Unreal.

[marlakay]

12. My doctor told me on video checkup

Last week who to contact and I was able to get appt for hubby later this month who is 71.

Have you called their doctor?