My wife worked hard on Friday to find a vaccine location in MN.

[MineralMan]

She turns 65 next Sunday, but thought she'd try to get a shot now. Somewhere, she saw that there was a recommendation for smokers under 65 to get the vaccine.

After a couple of searched and failures to get an appointment, she got an appointment at a Walgreen's about 10 miles away from our house for 4 PM yesterday. She went, armed with a CDC recommendation for smokers over 55 to get the shot. The Walgreens said, "OK. No problem," and jabbed her with the first Moderna vaccine. After the shot, the Walgreen's person said, "We're on the honor system here. If you say you're qualified, we give the shot. We have plenty of vaccine on hand now."

They also scheduled her second dose four weeks later.

So, that's good news. Keep looking for your shot. Check nearby locations, maybe in smaller communities, if you live in an urban area. if you can schedule an appointment, you'll get your shot. There's more flexibility now, it seems.

[spooky3]

1. Virginia allows people who are even a little overweight

(Not only people with obesity) who are under 65 to sign up, so more than 2/3 of the population is now eligible.

[Ocelot II]

2. I'm really impressed with Hy-Vee.

My regular health clinic, Fairview, didn't have any appointments when I started looking a few weeks ago, so I registered with the state health department's system. I soon got an email directing me to links to all providers with available vaccination appointments, and after filling out an online form I snagged an opening for 2/25 at the Oakdale Hy-Vee pharmacy (which is a pretty fair distance from where I live, but no matter). I showed up shortly before my appointment, waited a short time in an area set up for social distancing, got the shot, waited 15 minutes, got the vaccination card, and was told I'd get an email to arrange for the second vaccination in three weeks, which would be 3/18. So yesterday evening, instead of an email, I got a phone call from Hy-Vee to set up a specific time on 3/18. The guy who called me said a few people hadn't gotten their emails so they were calling everybody to be sure they made their appointments. So on Thursday I go back, anticipate feeling like crap on Friday, but impressed as hell with the good folks at the Oakdale Hy-Vee pharmacy, Pfizer, and Joe Biden.

[MineralMan]

4. I often shop in that Hy-Vee. It's pretty close to my home.

I'm glad you had a good experience there.

[Ocelot II]

9. I would, too, if it weren't more than 20 miles from my home.

Maybe I'll buy some groceries there after I get my vax, just out of appreciation.

[question everything]

23. Several weeks ago I found that North Memorial clinics were making appointments

I have been a patient of their specialists but not the clinics. So I made an appointment, for the next day, online, to the nearest clinic- 5 miles away and was entered their lottery for 65 yr olds.

Within a few days I got an email to make an appointment. Again online. I selected the second day which had appointments for every 15 min, starting at 8:00 am.

The site was in Brooklyn Center 12 miles away. They converted a large warehouse and that was that.

Did not have to stand in line, just checked in. Second dose will be later this week.

A week later I was invited by Fairview to sign for whatever system they have. Felt so good to just delete that email. I could not even get an appointment with my primary physician. “All our reps are busy, please try another time.”

I may switch to a primary physician with North Memorial.

[Lochloosa]

3. Most nongovernmental sites are doing the honor system.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. These stories make me wonder if anyone except me is

following my state DOH rules. I mean, what's the point in signing up and waiting patiently for the notification when people much younger just call around and get the shot?

[MineralMan]

6. Well, if you're 65+, use other means to find a place

with available appointments and get vaccinated.

I don't know anyone who is "much younger" who has gotten the vaccine, unless they meet other qualifications for one.

My wife actually had an existing appointment for two days after her 65th birthday, but looked for an earlier appointment when she discovered that the CDC was recommending the vaccine for smokers over, I think, 55 years of age. Turns out she found one. So she cancelled the 65+ appointment she already had.

I, on the other hand am 75 years old. I signed up on the Minnesota vaccine site and waited. When I got notified, I went to that appointment and got my first shot two weeks ago. I have an appointment for the second Moderna shot on the 26th.

MN also allows smokers over 55 to get the vaccine, but you won't find that easily on their website. It's there, though.

As for yourself, I don't know your age or co-morbidities, so I can't really offer any advice. But, if you meet whatever criteria your state uses, I'd go vaccine hunting. Try the pharmacy websites.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

12. I'm 72. Had a serious heart attack back in December.

In this state, the pharmacies don't seem to let me bypass the state registration system for signing up for the shot. I shouldn't have to drive to another state, or even for several hours within my own state.

I've gotten a couple of sternly worded emails from the state DOH telling me not to go seeking a vaccine outside of their system.

What's really galling is that my state, New Mexico, is supposedly one of the top two or three best states at getting the vaccine out and into arms. If this is good, I guess I should be deliriously happy I don't live in whatever the worst state is. When I might actually get notified I can get the vaccine is an utter mystery. You'd think they could give some kind of a hint. But as it is, I don't know if I'll hear from them tomorrow or sometime in June.

Biden saying that as of April 1st (do I have that right?) every adult will be eligible, will turn getting the vaccine into a worse free-for-all than it is.

[MineralMan]

13. That makes no sense at all.

I mean, I'm not in NM, but there must be some mistake. Look for a phone number for your state system. I've not heard of any state that is not vaccinating 65+ people. Call your doctor or the state DOH on the phone.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

14. The official information on the state DOH website

shows people 75 and older, 16 and older at risk of Covid complications, meaning the top part of group 1b. I guess that group is far larger than I would have thought in this state. Oh, teachers have been added to that list.

There was a big article in today's Santa Fe New Mexican about this problem, about all the senior citizens who simply aren't being notified they can now get the shot. And if this state is doing such a terrific job, I shudder to think what it's like elsewhere. I feel as if the numbers quoted are simply wrong.

Honestly, making all adults eligible in a very few weeks isn't going to improve anything unless 100 - 200 million vaccines suddenly arrive at that time and there are the many thousands of people needed to give the shots. I'm just so tired of hearing how everyone else is getting the vaccine and I haven't.

[MineralMan]

24. Every state is doing it differently, I guess.

I'm sorry you're having a problem getting yours.

[pnwmom]

15. Here's a site that some relatives have successfully used.

Vaccinefinder.org

If you don't find something right away, keep going back.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

16. I've tried it.

The one or two pharmacies in Santa Fe that have the vaccine aren't taking appointments.

[pnwmom]

17. Please keep trying it. I just tried the first zip code I saw listed for Santa Fe

87501, and the site lists 11 places with the vaccine in stock.

Also, I just randomly clicked on this Albertson's link, and they say it's coming soon and will put people on an email list.

https://www.albertsonsmarket.com/vaccine-information

[Ms. Toad]

18. You appear to be eligible now, based on the criteria in New Mexico.

The following groups are currently eligible for vaccine:
Hospital personnel
Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
Medical first responders
Congregate setting workers
Persons providing direct medical care and other in-person services
Home-based health care and hospice workers
People 75+
People 16+ at risk of COVID complications
K-12 educators, early childhood professionals, and school staff

https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-vaccine/

B. Persons 16 years of age or older with at least one of the following conditions:
Conditions with increased risk of severe illness:
7
● Cancer
● Chronic kidney disease
● COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis
● Down syndrome
● Heart conditions (heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies)
● Immunocompromised state from solid organ transplant
● Obesity (BMI>=30)
● Pregnancy
● Sickle cell disease
● Type 2 Diabetes

https://cv.nmhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021.1.28-DOH-Phase-Guidance.pdf

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

25. Being eligible and actually getting the shot are two different things.

Supposedly every adult will be eligible later on this month. If there are not enough vaccines in the pipeline for every adult, it hardly matters.

I'm registered with the state department of health and have not heard from them.

[LizBeth]

7. That is very good to hear. I have mine but I am going to look for a 74 old woman with heart disease.

She says looking looking, but I know three times got an email and by the time she tried to get appt, filled. So, they are out there but haven't thought about pharmacies.

[MineralMan]

8. If you go to the Walgreen's app, instead of filling out the online form,

call the phone number instead. They'll help you find an available appointment and take all your information. They're better at finding the appointments than the clumsy app is. That's what my wife did.

CVS can help you, as well. Also, ask the pharmacy at your supermarket about the vaccine. Mine doesn't have a sign out about availability, but they said they do have the vaccine and a waiting list for it, so getting on that waiting list and telling them you can come on short notice can get you a vaccine if appointments aren't kept by someone.

[LizBeth]

10. Thank you so much for this information MM

[Tommymac]

20. After several weeks of trying here in Pittsburgh finally got an appointment at CVS on Tuesday.

PA's system is totally fubared. Not sure why.

But, after hours and hours over many days of fruitlessly hitting up websites from CVS, Rite Aid, Giant Eagle Grocery chain, UPMC, AHN, independent hospitals/clinics, and my county, I hit the jackpot this morning around 830 AM.

Rite Aid and CVS both had appointments available! The county had some too but only take over 65, I am a few years younger with at risk conditions, smoke (they did not specify tobacco lol) and have diabetes 2 but I am not eligible there though I am eligible per PA State requirements.

Mine is at a CVS 25 miles or so from my house but well worth the drive. And CVS scheduled both shots, believe it's Pfizer. I hear PA is going to use the J&J for educators and other essential school personnel, but cannot confirm that.

[LisaL]

21. How far apart are your appointments?

If they are 3 weeks apart, you are getting Pfizer.
If they are 4 weeks apart, you are getting Moderna.

[shanti]

11. That's how you do it

Be vigilant.

[tavernier]

19. There are so many shots at this point I would just

Go to your nearest cvs or grocery and tell them you will wait. Betcha you’ll be in quickly.

[TexasBushwhacker]

22. FWIW, if you are having trouble finding the vaccine in your county

Check availability and register in an adjacent county. I live in Fort Bend county, southwest of Houston (Harris County). Once I registered with the county on Feb 28th instead of endlessly checking pharmacies, I got a text on March 13th for an appointment the next day. It turns out, Fort Bend County is accepting registrations for Harris County too! I let my friends know about it who are still waiting in Houston.