So I'm about to chew nails over Covid Vaccine stupidity. (rant warning)

[KentuckyWoman]

Is there anyplace getting a vaccine is not mortal combat?

All my friends are in their 70's and 80's in Ohio and Kentucky. Very few have managed to score appointments for vaccine. Some have been eligible for 6 weeks now and still have not gotten the first shot. Call in lines aren't even answering the phone at this point.

In Cincinnati the 2 largest medical providers, UC health and Tri-Health put "all appointment for Feb 21-27 are full" on their website. If you get through to a person on the call line, they tell you the appointments never actually got filled because they are not getting any vaccine. And what they do have is going into the arms of people who got cancelled by the weather. But they were saying the same sort of thing in January .... "We didn't actually fill appoints because no vaccine"

Without fail, all my friends think first responders and teachers should go first. In fact, our village asked the county to be sure all police, fire and EMTs got theirs before they scheduled our clinic. However, it is no fun for seniors being home all the time, not being able to have any socialization to speak of. No grandkid hugs. It's causing a lot of physical and mental decline for seniors. It isn't just seniors making sacrifices, but when your world gets this kind of small to start with, small losses are big losses.

And then we read about some Hollywood starlet age 38 who bragged about getting her vaccine. We get news Kentucky people came over to Ohio to gets shots because they are 66 and Kentucky hasn't lowered it that far yet. How in the hell did these people get appointments? There aren't any, anywhere.

I can't even begin to tell you the level of pissed off people here are.

I wish you all luck. I don't know how people are getting it, but it has been one huge exercise in frustration here.

[utopian]

1. It's been the same in Oregon

My 87 year old mother-in-law just got an after much wrangling.

[littlebit]

2. Here in Amarillo TX

We have a mass vaccination site at the Civic Center. It is open to anyone in group 1A or 1B. The county health dept has a website that lists the times they are open. When they are open you just show up. You don't have to pre-register. It took me 1 1/2 hours to get my first shot and about 30 minutes to get my second one two weeks ago.

[KentuckyWoman]

3. I wish they'd do that here.

A few hours sitting in the car waiting your turn is a whole lot better than 6 weeks checking websites every hour and making 10 phone calls a day only to fail.

[littlebit]

10. That is ridiculous.

My wife is living in Indiana right now taking care of her dad. They are having the same issues there getting him vaccinated.

[brush]

6. God. That's great. It sounds almost too simple, too common sense.

Was it the mayor's idea, the city council? How did that come about.

[littlebit]

8. It was both along with

the health dept director. They have been planning for something like this for years.

[Ms. Toad]

28. The problem is -

That advantages people with the means to travel (urban, or access to a vehicle), with time to go sit all day and wait, etc.

Although the vaccine rollout to the general public in Ohio stinks (including the decision about who to prioritize), having it accessible through distributed local sites makes it more likely to be equitably distributed.

They just needed to get a central reservation/waiting list website up and running before the local distribution sites had developed their own very long waiting lists and were unwilling to merge into the state-wide database.

[brush]

29. This common sense solution works for those who have transportation...

which is the majority, and as described can be easily implemented and up and running wherever possible too get as many vaccinated as possible.

For others a web site reservation system can work,

And for those who don't use computers it has to be a phone system.

And for those with mobility issues maybe mobil vaccination units.

And for those in long care homes...

And for those in rural areas...

My point being get the most vaccinated with the simplest solution asap and work out the more difficult situations too to get the vaccinations to as many people as possible asap.

It can happen, and I believe it will with the new admin wanting to get people protected, unlike the trump admin which didn't give a sh_t. The Biden admin is figuring it out and plodding away at it, getting more doses ordered, after having to start distribution from scratch because we all know who did nothing at all.

[dhol82]

4. I'm in NYC and having a problem scoring a first appointment

They seem to have a slew of second doses but bupkis for a first.
I have one friends couple where the husband was able to get his shot but the wife was canceled and now can’t schedule another one.
I keep getting email messages from the two groups that I am part of that they are low on vaccines and will contact me as soon as they have doses available.
I keep trying all the various links and get squat. I will be 75 in two months.
The search continues.

[notinkansas]

5. Same here in Illinois.

I'm not hopeful of getting one any time soon.

[milestogo]

7. If professional athletes are getting it, its no surprise that Hollywood is.

[Green Line]

9. Same here in MA, it's a mess

[Journeyman]

11. Why wasn't TicketMaster put in charge of arranging the appointments? . . .

They're set up to do this sort of mass admittance organization, they're not busy at the moment, and they certainly want to see this situation resolved so they can return to handling concerts and theater gigs.

They could call it, "TicketVaccster."

[stopdiggin]

20. well, you know -- individual states and all that

Everybody wishes there was more 'availability' (flat out supply) -- but people that don't believe in government -- shouldn't be doing government.

(and actually -- you're right, TicketMaster could have done it better, faster, and a lot more coherently.)

[JanMichael]

24. Pearl Jam would love that. nt

[live love laugh]

12. Isn't it widely known there's delays rolling out vaccines?

Why would anybody upset themselves about this knowing that there are huge deployment problems?

[KentuckyWoman]

15. The lack of communication and misinformation is the trouble.

If you can't get the vaccines to get the current eligible group. OK. Why tell everyone the next group is open when there are no vaccines?

If you are going to open it up to a group, why have the ridiculous free for all we having instead of a single website ( I like the ticketmaster idea) to hold all appointments everywhere.

The organizational and communications arm of this ridiculously difficult. Wrong info is everywhere. If a 38 yr old Hollywood startlet can show up end of day and get vaccinated, plus schedule for dose 2, then why aren't they communicating this to people in the eligible groups?

It is a mess. And that is the complaint.

[rickyhall]

13. I'm still waiting in Arkansas.

[multigraincracker]

14. I didn't expect to get mine until late next monty at the

earliest. Got the email from State of Mi. this morning and said I need to fill out my app. for tomorrow or Friday. Apps. start at 9:30 am and I got the first one. A friend called and she got the one for 9:45.
I first signed up on State website, then with my provider and then with a chain drug store.
I love my new Governor.

[Biophilic]

21. You're doing way better than my sister and I.

She's 78 and I'm 74. At first told to go through our health provider. That would be the University of MI. Finally a couple of weeks ago they sent out an email saying they didn't expect to have anymore appointments. We were told to sign up with our county health department. Did that. Haven't heard a thing back. Very frustrating. I know they are doing the best they can, but it does seem to be very haphazard and uncoordinated. Just have to be patient a bit longer. Good to hear that some people in MI are getting shots. Mostly it seemed very quiet.

[multigraincracker]

22. Hope you get the surprise I did, soon.

I sure was not expecting it. I'm 71 and my 58 year old Nurse GF got her first one a week ago. sign up everywhere you can.

[Biophilic]

25. Thanks, will do.

[Mr.Bill]

16. I got my vaccination at our local Family Medicine Clinic,

which operated under the umbrella of our local hospital which is run by a not-for-profit conglomerate called Sutter Health. My General Practitioner who I have been seeing for about six years closed her private practice a few years ago to become director of the clinic, while she still sees patients as a GP there. I didn't even call for an appointment, they called me and my wife.

The clinic is less than one mile from my house and when I went there at the assigned time there were three cars ahead of me. I never got out of my car, the whole operation was set up in the parking lot. Within about ten minutes of pulling in the driveway, the needle was in my arm and after 15 minutes I was allowed to leave. Very well-run operation. There were about a dozen people administering the shots.

I should add that I don't live in a very densely populated area. I feel like I was very well served by my doctor and local hospital. People who don't have a relationship with a doctor are calling the local department of health and making an appointment there. When I drive past there, I see dozens of cars in line, so maybe a little longer wait.

[Hoyt]

17. Same here. My ladyfriend got one a few weeks ago, but it was just luck. Called at right time.

I finally signed up today for a "pre-appointment" for a large site where appointments will be made when vaccine supply is available. It's 50 miles away, but at least I'm on a list to get one when supply picks up. I'd still rather all healthcare, first responders, high risk elderly, teachers, etc., get them first.

[nolabear]

18. They are prioritizing second vaccinations so the first aren't wasted.

And this is a hard course to correct. The last administration was a combination of uncaring, incompetent and opportunistic. Rather than creating a grid of states that were in cooperation and led and helped by a strong central command we had...that. States have had to cobble things together out of a bunch of pieces, many of which were missing or broken. And the level of competence in states varies.

And the weather problem is real. I’m sorry no one is connecting climate change with the crippling of transportation of and cooling of viruses. But this can kill us in all kinds of ways.

Biden’s crew is working as hard as they can to get vaccines out.

Meanwhile, 500,000 are gone.

[MizLibby]

19. I got my 1st Pfizer on Feb 1...

We were told at the site we would receive and email with a link to sign up for dose 2 a few days ahead of time. So the link comes in my email yesterday with an admonition not to share it, its just for 2nd doses in your group.
Well some aholes shared the link because EVERY damn time slot was filled by the time I read the email.
I'm gonna show up anyway with my card and warm chocolate chip cookies and ask if I can wait till all the Feb 23 appointments were done and if any doses were left, can I please have one.
Why cant people play by the rules?

[timms139]

23. I'm in Kentucky

and Ky. is doing 60 and up. I got mine Feb. 10 . I think it's up to the area you are in as to what age group they can handle.

[Johonny]

26. I know

My parents are 79 years old. No appointments available still. Meanwhile, same area of the same state, a 48 year old I know just got vaccinated.

The lack of supply is certainly maddening.

[Brush Bunny]

27. Folks the blame goes back to

the time frame of January 2017 till January 20 2021,that time frame was all about the total destruction,as Steve Bannon engineered, of our Natonal Saftey Net for Disasters both Weather Related or Virus Related. Community Health was underfunded because of a fake Abortion issue. All about a Corporate led Policy that some Billionaire would decide if you needed funding for Tornado Damage or funding for a major health emergency.

Every effort was made to turn our Nation into the likes of Italy during the late thirties till the people of Italy figured out he was just a POS who wanted all their money and use them for his Pal's indentured slaves.

[KentuckyWoman]

36. There's no one here talking about blame ...

This is a problem that needs a solution. We have a good team of people out there to solve.

I'm not sure what abortions, Italy or Tornados have to do with any of it and I'm pretty sure Steve Bannon is not running the state of Ohio.

[Sympthsical]

30. As with any bureaucracy, there are work arounds and loop holes

I'm an older Millennial who largely works from home these days. My sister-in-law is around my age and doing similar. She's already gotten her first shot. Not only do states have their own rules, but you'll find individual counties have their own protocols as well. Where we live, Solano County in California, we aren't eligible for the shot. However, she went and got hers in Contra Costa county next door.

My partner already got both his shots (my age, but he works in health care). She urged me to do as she did. Out of total idle curiosity, I nosed around a bit to see if it was possible. Sure enough, I can easily, easily work around Contra Costa county's rules and get myself set up for a shot.

I haven't done that, and I won't do that. I'm younger and in excellent health. There are far more people more vulnerable than me.

But if I wanted to, I could.

It depends on how well you know and can work the system. I know more than a few people around my age who are not essential or front line workers who have been getting their shots. I get the fear and the desire to go back to living a somewhat normal life, but it just strikes me slant ways. Even after I finally get my shots, I'm going to be wearing a mask and socially distancing for the foreseeable future.

Of course, I say this. Totally have dinner reservations in Napa later today. But it's outdoor, distanced dining, so. Our restrictions have opened way up, but I still try to be cautious. Only outdoors, and if I get up from the table for any reason, mask goes on. I've been observing - especially downtown Napa on Valentine's Day - and people are taking some risks. Lots of masks off in what was a fairly crowded and busy restaurant district. Eesh. I felt like I was the only one veering off into the street just to avoid going near people. People are relaxing again. Not sure it's a good thing.

[CanonRay]

31. I'm in Oregon and only know a few people who have been vaccinated

but every single friend of mine in Colorado has gotten it. Even folks younger that myself. It's a shit show most places.

[Snarkoleptic]

32. Trump owns this!

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/trump-administration-coronavirus-vaccine-pfizer

(Article from December 2020)

Under its contract with Pfizer, the Trump administration committed to buy an initial 100m doses, with an option to purchase as many as five times more. This summer, the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100m doses for delivery in the second quarter of 2021, according to people who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

[LAS14]

33. There should be a nationwide policy like Massachusetts'.

Massachusetts had a horrible rollout, but last week they instituted a policy a really approve of. They will no longer distribute vaccenes to locations that limit their service to residents of their own municipality. The exceptions are municipalities which have suffered a higher than average hit from COVID. This means cities, for the most part. So now the residents of wealthy suburbs will have to go to Fenway Park or Gillette Stadium along with everyone else. So vaccines should be distributed nationwide with that in mind. Maybe they are... Dunno. But it sure doesn't sound that way, given the experience described in the OP.

[ancianita]

34. Still waiting in Florida. Wrong state, wrong governor, wrong zip code.

Though I've been on the Manatee County wait list (with paperwork ready) for a month, until the "computer randomly picks my appt. number," my strategy is still to wait until either I can find a FEMA vaccine center in the state (DeSenseless says he doesn't want "FEMA camps" ), or major pharmacies provide shots. Because Republican sabotaging of vaccine access is a thing down here.

I understand Biden is beta testing the use of Walgreens, CVS and other chains across eleven states. Hopefully, he'll decide to expand their availability across the rest of the country.

Because after a year of being homebound, I get ticked off just imagining how a variant that beats the vaccine rollout will be the death of me so close to the point of herd immunity.

[SkylineChili]

35. Totally Agree!

The clusterfuck that is Ohio cannot be truly explained or understood unless you are here, trying to get vaccinated. All of my friends in other states have been vaccinated, and in Ohio, especially Cincinnati, it is the Hunger Games. Instead of large scale inoculation events, every little Kroger store (grocery chain) has some product that they dole out. There have been no appointments on the East Side of Cincinnati at all that I can see, and some that drop Friday evening around dinner time on the west side at some Krogers that are snapped up instantly. The school teachers k-12 are now a priority and are getting vaccinated wholesale, which sounds great on paper but some have no intention of going back to face to face teaching, and have said so, but got in line for the vaccine anyway (Walnut Hills High School faculty and staff, I'm looking at you) and the Catholic Schools pastors have placed the parish secretary, parish bookkeeper, the guy who comes into the rectory on Monday morning to count the collection, the Adult Faith Formation coordinator who doesn't enter the school into the vaccine line as "Teachers". Meanwhile university faculty is out in the cold, as are the elderly. We can't get vaccinated in Indiana or Kentucky just across the border, but they can come here...and do. When my friends in other states tell me, "Well, just call the county Health Service like I did' I get stabby. I am truly glad for everyone who gets vaccinated, but just understand, not every state or county has a plan. Dewine dropped the ball and we are paying the price.

[KentuckyWoman]

37. Welcome to DU

Good post. "Hunger Games" is a good way to put it.
Absolute clusterf*ck in Ohio.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

38. This whole getting the vaccine is overwhelming to me

I don't know who to call, don't know where to go, don't know who or where to call, don't have transportation, don't know if my group is up or not, don't want to compete with a shitload of people, don't want to call 20 places and do it all over again for a month ,and if I get an appointment I may not be able to even get there to get the shot. I am really tense and anxious when dealing with bureaucracy ,it makes me crazy, ,it all just intimidates the living shit out of me. I just wish I could get my shot at the pharmacy I can walk to. show up get it done.

[KentuckyWoman]

39. Some regional counsel on aging and United Way is helping

Try calling 211 (United Way) They MIGHT be able to put you in touch with a volunteer who will chomp through the system for you and also make sure you have transport.

If you are disabled or older, your local seniors agency or whatever group helps people with your disability might can help run interference for you.

In Ohio even those groups are running into road blocks on behalf of others because it is such a mess.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

40. I'm disabled

and poor as dirt. Got conditions that if I caught covid I'd probably die. but there is no help to get disabled people shots I am 55 not old enough But in danger as much as a an old person if I caught covid.Like usual disabled people don't matter, and being poor puts you always last for everything ..

[karynnj]

41. It was easy I Vermont when your turn came

the state made clear that there were enough slots for everyone. After vaccines fir health care workers and people In congregant living facilities, they opened an online and phone system for those over 75. Last week, it was 70 and over. For 70 and over, about 60 percent of eligible people signed up the first day. Even in the most populous County, the system worked well. It took less the a half hour to answer the questions, select where you wanted to go and to grab a time and date. Within minutes, I had both a text and email with the info.