General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrying to get vaccinated in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the places where a working vaccine was invented (Moderna headquarters is in Cambridge). Ironically, trying to actually get vaccinated here is a problem for Massachusetts residents.
The state has set up a few mass vaccination sites (not real smart - encouraging crowds of people who are by definition not vaccinated yet), and set up a web site for people to get appointments there. People are seeing astronomical wait times, in one case 50475 minutes. In another case, someone was told he was in line for appointment sign-up, and that there wwere142334 people in line ahead of him. These numbers are from the front page of the Boston Globe.
Another vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) is about to be available, it will probably be approved tomorrow. Maybe it will help a bit. My wife and I have a chunk of J&J stock, but that will probably not help us get vaccinated earlier.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)I can't get vaccinated either, OH apparently decided to just go by age, and not pre-existing conditions (unless the conditions are congenital). So my age group is nowhere near to be eligible for the vaccine.
flyingfysh
(1,990 posts)Their manufacturing process hasn't yet produced as many doses has they had hoped by now.
I am very near the top of the priority list (age 74), but that hasn't helped yet.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Each state is doing its own thing. My state of OH is ignoring pre-existing conditions (unless they are congenital) and is going by age.
Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts)At 64 years and 7 months, with diabetes and 2 (likely 3) cancers, that's about how long I have to wait in Ohio before I am even eligible to sign up.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)unless the conditions are congenital. Which makes no sense to me.
That doesn't appear in CDC guidelines.
Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts)Get those kids back in school. (even if it's only 1 day a week for some kids, and even if the school employees are working entirely from home.)
But worry about someone who has 3 known pre-existing conditions that are likely to make me toast if I get it, who is just a few months shy of 65, and who has been teaching older kids in person since August - not enough risk to justify letting you have a vaccine.
Part of what gets me is that they are focusing on death, exclusively, as the deciding factor for who is at the head of the line - which completely ignores the no-death risks that are also significantly higher for people with my conditions.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)In some states I would already be eligible for vaccinations. In OH, I have no clue when my age group is going to be eligible.
And focusing on pre-existing congenital conditions makes no sense, because kids can't be vaccinated right now-oldest age is 16.
So they would have to be adults with congenital conditions-where does CDC say to focus on congenital conditions only? OH is not following CDC guidelines.
Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts)Cystic fibrosis, for example - is congenital and dramatically impacts the lungs, so it would definitely put any adult with CF at significantly higher risk for death from COVID.
BUT the collection of childhood conditions they have picked out are not inherently riskier than COPD, for example, which is entirely an adult-acquired condition.
I've been trying to find an email address that doesn't just send me back a "Since you're interested in COVID" canned letter to make my case to. So far - not successful. I thought I found one for Dr. Bruce (whose last name I've lost temporarily), but that one bounced back as undeliverable.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)While not a good condition to have by any means, it's not known to increase risk for covid complications.
So it makes no sense.
Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts)I can't find anything that suggests spina bifida, itself, increases the risk for COVID complications.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)OH doesn't. No rime or reason as to why.
Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts)in Western PA, I'd be there in a heartbeat.
Unfortunately, even though they have vaccinated a lot of Ohioans, I have yet to find a website that lets me register.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)In OH, I am nowhere near being eligible.
OH is not following CDC guidelines. Some of congenital conditions they came up with as eligible right now is bizarre to say the list.
I already mentioned spina bifida, which doesn't increase risk for covid complications. So why is it on the list?
OH also has Tay-Sachs on the list. Most sufferers with this condition die by the age of five. The youngest age than one can get vaccinated is age 16.
How did OH came up with the list? Why is OH prioritizing congenital conditions? Like, what difference does it make with regard to covid, if an adult has the condition from birth versus condition developed later in life? Why is OH ignoring CDC guidelines?
Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts). . .
Adults of any age with the following conditions are at increased risk for severe COVID-19associated illness: cancer; chronic kidney disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies; immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant; obesity (body mass index (body mass index {BMI} ?30 kg/m2 but less than but 40 kg/m2); severe obesity (BMI ?40 kg/m2); sickle cell disease; smoking; type 2 diabetes mellitus; and pregnancy.
I've got breast cancer, sarcoma, and likely a thymoma + Type 2 diabetes.
I think they are being stupid about it. I may hve to resort to snail mail to give them a piece of my mind, since they have turned email/web communication into non-communication.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)I don't know of any other state that is doing what OH is doing. All of this really pisses me off, since I should be eligible if OH followed CDC guidelines. And yet I am not, and won't be any time soon, since OH is not following guidelines.
Turin_C3PO
(13,989 posts)You should have been among the first in line. I sincerely hope you get it sooner rather than later.
Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts)they are not even making a prediction yet, because they will not lower it until everyone 65+ who wants a vaccination gets one (and they re-vaccinate all those in nursing homes who rejected it the first time, and they vaccinate all primary and secondary school employees - even those working entirely from home).
Submariner
(12,504 posts)use this vaccine boondoggle to dump the republican governor for a Liberal governor in the next election.
White Fox
(69 posts)I'll be 68 in a week w/severe RA meds I take make me immune compromised.
I can't get vaccinated.
sheshe2
(83,754 posts)after trying around the clock for a week I was actually able to score an appointment for tomorrow.
Good luck!
Ms. Toad
(34,069 posts)I can't even get past the welcome screen for any in-state provider since I have not hit the magic age - and I don't have aggravating conditions that originated in childhood.
And out-of-state providers kick me out because my address isn't in their state (even though 10% or more of the people already vaccinated in that state come from out of state).
Rhiannon12866
(205,320 posts)And I got an appointment yesterday, got my first shot today and get #2 next month! They were pretty busy, but I was impressed with how efficient they were. My friend got his at another CVS and said it was crowded. Good luck! And my arm aches a little, that's it...
sheshe2
(83,754 posts)Getting ready to head out soon. Thanks.
Croney
(4,660 posts)I'm over 75 and got a Danvers appt.; second shot is Tuesday. My husband is over 65, and I got him a Danvers appt. for last week.
I just clicked through at the right time I guess. Now it's impossible, because of that so-called waiting line which is ridiculous.
JenniferJuniper
(4,512 posts)the appointments drop in.
Many people have had more luck with the CVS site, but the appointments went very quickly yesterday.
The "Mass vax" appointments have always been gone by the time I could get personal info in. Once CVS let me in yesterday, it seemed my place was held for a short time while I was able to get the details in. I dummied in "none, none, none" for insurance info even though I had it. They'll use your insurance card if you have one when you show up for the appt. No need to unnessarily slow things down I figured.
Native
(5,942 posts)Simplified site that talks to all the other sites and shows real time availability with links to sign up. It refreshes constantly. Just saw 1 available slot at the Walgreens in Hyannis. It also has all the CVS location info.
Pongo
(4,170 posts)But today on NPR I heard a website called vaccine finder.org and I texted that to her now she has an appointment on Monday about a block from where she lives whereas before she wouldve had to drive an hour for the vaccine a month from now.
Check it out.