I’m sorry I just can’t

[jgenie]

Perfectly healthy mid 30’s - not working in person, no plans to return to in person any time soon, no underlying conditions - vaccinated while seniors and people with underlying conditions can’t even get appointments. Grrrr

[SnuggleBuggles]

The roll out has been...challenged. I know some people have gotten it because the vaccines would go to waste once opened if they couldn't find someone to use it. I wish I knew why they weren't more organized.

[NCGrandma]

The roll out has been...challenged. I know some people have gotten it because the vaccines would go to waste once opened if they couldn't find someone to use it. I wish I knew why they weren't more organized.

I think a big part of the problem is that "they" includes a wide range of government and private agencies, at all levels from federal to state to county down to individual clinical sites. At each level, the degree of competence, experience, planning ability, and commitment to the health of the public varies enormously. Similarly, communication within and among these levels varies similarly. And all that is true even if we attribute noble motives to everyone involved. Add in the current political climate, and it doesn’t improve the situation.

End of rant! (As an old public health student who spent my career in medical education, this is driving me nuts!!!)


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[AngB]

I think a big part of the problem is that "they" includes a wide range of government and private agencies, at all levels from federal to state to county down to individual clinical sites. At each level, the degree of competence, experience, planning ability, and commitment to the health of the public varies enormously. Similarly, communication within and among these levels varies similarly. And all that is true even if we attribute noble motives to everyone involved. Add in the current political climate, and it doesn’t improve the situation.

End of rant! (As an old public health student who spent my career in medical education, this is driving me nuts!!!)


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Same!! I got mine but I am in healthcare with kids in school (though I am PRN and only work a few times a month), even with working not much, I still have been exposed a couple of times that I know of. The vaccine was available to me through the two different hospitals/systems I work for, so I did go ahead and get it because it wasn't like they'd take my dose and give it to my 95 yo grandmother who I would prefer to get it over me. Or my parents. Or etc.

During the time I was getting my second shot, there were three nurses, about 5 other people to check in, etc. and they had syringes lined up, dosed out, ready to go...maybe like 50ish of them. But I was the only one that got my shot and in the 20ish minutes I was there, there was only one other person who got their shot as well. It drove me crazy. They had the shots, the personnell needed to distribute, just no one to give them to...also made me wonder what they are doing with leftover doses through the end of the day if people don't make their appointments.

[ArizonaGirl]

Same!! I got mine but I am in healthcare with kids in school (though I am PRN and only work a few times a month), even with working not much, I still have been exposed a couple of times that I know of. The vaccine was available to me through the two different hospitals/systems I work for, so I did go ahead and get it because it wasn't like they'd take my dose and give it to my 95 yo grandmother who I would prefer to get it over me. Or my parents. Or etc.

During the time I was getting my second shot, there were three nurses, about 5 other people to check in, etc. and they had syringes lined up, dosed out, ready to go...maybe like 50ish of them. But I was the only one that got my shot and in the 20ish minutes I was there, there was only one other person who got their shot as well. It drove me crazy. They had the shots, the personnell needed to distribute, just no one to give them to...also made me wonder what they are doing with leftover doses through the end of the day if people don't make their appointments.

I work at a major vaccine POD in a very large metro area. I work in the Pharmacy tent, reconstituting and drawing up vaccine for the personnel dispensing the doses. We have a very, very intricate tracking process in order to prevent the waste of even one dose. We track every dose dispensed from the appointment being checked in to the person leaving after observation. They check cancellations and no-shows multiple times per day and starting about 1 hour before our last appointment we reconstitute and draw doses one vial at a time in order to minimize the risk of wasting any doses. Just to give folks a heads up, it takes most people over 15 minutes to reconstitute and draw up 1 vial (6 doses) of vaccine. We do have a running list of people that are interested in receiving the vaccine and would be willing to drop everything and drive to the vaccine site to get vaccinated. To date we have not wasted any doses.

I will say that one of the upsides of working at the vaccine POD is that you are allowed to receive your vaccine. I received mine even though I have little to no patient contact and am a healthy 36 year old female. I view it as a perk of taking the time out of my "desk" job where I am salaried and volunteering at the POD.

I completely blame the piss-poor rolling out of the mass vaccinations on the lack of much federal oversight and management. This "leave everything up to the state" nonsense has only made this roll-out that much more abysmal.

Hopefully this let folks "see" the more complicated side of mass vaccinating millions of people.

[wendibird22]

I completely blame the piss-poor rolling out of the mass vaccinations on the lack of much federal oversight and management. This "leave everything up to the state" nonsense has only made this roll-out that much more abysmal.



Yup. We have FEMA and an Incident Command Protocol that should have been stood up and followed. The IC process exists for this very purpose...organizing and mobilizing resources on a mass scale...people, PPE, vaccines, etc. Should've been used for testing and should be used now for vaccination.

What you describe as your process for not wasting doses sounds similar to what is required here in NY. Vaccination sites are prohibited from wasting vaccine and can face a fine if they do. They must maintain an on call list for each day so that not a single dose is wasted and if there is no on call and vials cannot be used, they must be transferred to another facility to be used.

[doberbrat]

I completely blame the piss-poor rolling out of the mass vaccinations on the lack of much federal oversight and management. This "leave everything up to the state" nonsense has only made this roll-out that much more abysmal..

I'm going to respectfully disagree to some extent. I do not believe the feds needed to tell states exactly how to roll out the doses. Some of that will vary state by state. What the feds ARE at blame for is the poor distribution and communication. The governor has said they only find out that doses are being shipped as they are coming - too late in the game to effectively plan. At the same time NY has said they were promised thousands of doses and only received a small % so people who have appointments are cancelled.

Its hard and going at warp speed which means there will be bumps I get it. But I still think it could have gone smoother.

On the flip side, when I think about how long its taken to get other vax to the market and distributed, the fact that anyone has gotten a dose let alone the 2M that have gotten them is pretty much a miracle.

Afa the OP, I get it. That dose probably should have gone to someone else, BUT, I'm glad someone got it rather than it being wasted. :hug:

[bisous]

OP, I certainly don't know the circumstances. How in the world did she get priority? I just heard about a case where a pharmacy in a Walgreens (or was it CVS?) was distributing the vaccine and realized that several appointments had been missed and they had doses they were going to have to throw away. As a last ditch effort, they announced over the loud speaker than anyone in the store that wanted a vaccine could come and get it! I get that this is very much out of order, but since these doses weren't going to go in the arm of someone more deserving, I think in this case it wasn't a terrible practice!

My sister who is a healthy, young-(ish) teacher in Northern VA just got her first dose. She's excited because of what it means for schools in the area but is also dealing with some guilt about getting it before older, more vulnerable people!

I'm hoping this is going to feel fast and everyone who wants to get vaccinated will be able to very soon!

[AngB]

I work at a major vaccine POD in a very large metro area. I work in the Pharmacy tent, reconstituting and drawing up vaccine for the personnel dispensing the doses. We have a very, very intricate tracking process in order to prevent the waste of even one dose. We track every dose dispensed from the appointment being checked in to the person leaving after observation. They check cancellations and no-shows multiple times per day and starting about 1 hour before our last appointment we reconstitute and draw doses one vial at a time in order to minimize the risk of wasting any doses. Just to give folks a heads up, it takes most people over 15 minutes to reconstitute and draw up 1 vial (6 doses) of vaccine. We do have a running list of people that are interested in receiving the vaccine and would be willing to drop everything and drive to the vaccine site to get vaccinated. To date we have not wasted any doses.

I will say that one of the upsides of working at the vaccine POD is that you are allowed to receive your vaccine. I received mine even though I have little to no patient contact and am a healthy 36 year old female. I view it as a perk of taking the time out of my "desk" job where I am salaried and volunteering at the POD.

I completely blame the piss-poor rolling out of the mass vaccinations on the lack of much federal oversight and management. This "leave everything up to the state" nonsense has only made this roll-out that much more abysmal.

Hopefully this let folks "see" the more complicated side of mass vaccinating millions of people.

Thanks for the info! It's good to know doses hopefully aren't being wasted!

In our case, the syringes were already drawn up and ready to go, all they do/did was uncap and inject. There were like probably 20-50ish vials all ready to go and they had times set up to 3-4 people per 15 minute time slot (and had three nurses there to give them) and still there was only 2 of us that got shots in the 20-25 minutes I was there.

[AngB]

So our state is mass choas and vaccines are being distributed by ??? a number of different avenues. (Different health departments, different hospitals, apparently some pharmacies...) I have found 3 or 4 different places to sign up that I've passed on to my mom who has passed them on to our family.

Somehow my uncle in his early 60s, with health conditions but retired (and he's all about Trump and MAGA so I'm honestly shocked he wanted to get vaccinated), he managed to sign up and get an appointment this week but somehow with the same registration system/links my 97 year old grandmother still hasn't gotten an appointment. (She lives independently and doesn't have health conditions but still!! 97! WTF Missouri?!!)

[gatorsmom]

Ugh, it’s must be frustrating for the people who desperately need and are patiently waiting for a vaccination to hear these stories. My ILs are in their 70’s and have appointments to get their vaccinations (they are in Texas). But they told about a neighbor in her 50’s who’s healthy and retired who got her vax weeks ago. Apparently she was seeing her doctor about something minor and heard they had the vaccination at their office even though it wasn’t a common distribution point. She asked if she could have it while she was there. Apparently they were scrambling to find candidates because a few people didn’t show up for their appointment times. So they gave it to her. She just happened to be at the right place at the right time. The problem is she went back to her group of friends and neighbors and announced loudly that she got the vax from that office. Those neighbors then started calling that office wanting to know when they could get it. They were not happy they she managed to get it. But hey, like pp said, at least it didn’t go wasted.

[ezcc]

It is pretty chaotic lots of places I think- my mom qualifies next week but there are so many different sites - hospitals, health departments, starting next week grocery stores and hard to find info about where to sign up. Hopefully it will be a little more streamlined soon. I read that wealthy South Americans are flying up to get shots in Florida- I guess desantis said anyone over 65 is eligible, no residency requirement. My aunt in her 80s was only able to get one in Florida because her health care aid happens to have a relative who works in a pharmacy.

[niccig]

Perfectly healthy mid 30’s - not working in person, no plans to return to in person any time soon, no underlying conditions - vaccinated while seniors and people with underlying conditions can’t even get appointments. Grrrr

I’ve felt the same when I saw a few people getting the vaccine. Then I thought, they don’t make those rules, I can disagree with where they are on the list, but they’re on it. We need to get the vaccine out. Hopefully, the roll out will go smoother and everyone who wants it, will get it soon


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[jgenie]

I’ve felt the same when I saw a few people getting the vaccine. Then I thought, they don’t make those rules, I can disagree with where they are on the list, but they’re on it. We need to get the vaccine out. Hopefully, the roll out will go smoother and everyone who wants it, will get it soon


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I agree that they’re on the list. I just had hoped that people would allow those most in need to go first. Disappointing to see that is not the case. All for those grocery store workers who have worked tirelessly through this whole nightmare haven’t received the vaccine. They can’t sit online for hours looking for appointments so they will likely continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic.

[niccig]

I agree that they’re on the list. I just had hoped that people would allow those most in need to go first. Disappointing to see that is not the case. All for those grocery store workers who have worked tirelessly through this whole nightmare haven’t received the vaccine. They can’t sit online for hours looking for appointments so they will likely continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic.

I know at work (hospital) there are limited appointments now to get the first shot as appointments are now for giving the second shot. I only work part time there but was told to get it during first wave as they weren’t sure when the second wave would start. There was one allocated for me so I was told to get it while they had it. If I didn’t, it wasn’t going to someone at grocery store - who I agree needs to be higher on the list!


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[bisous]

I agree that they’re on the list. I just had hoped that people would allow those most in need to go first. Disappointing to see that is not the case. All for those grocery store workers who have worked tirelessly through this whole nightmare haven’t received the vaccine. They can’t sit online for hours looking for appointments so they will likely continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic.

Oh I so hear you about grocery workers! I have three sisters. One works in a lab and wears all the fancy equipment (she works with viruses), one is a teacher who has been all remote since March of last year and the third works at a fancy grocery store in BC. I think she's definitely the one most at risk and probably the least likely to quickly get the vaccine. I do worry about her. Many of the people she works with are so discourteous with regard to safe protocols around her. I tell her every day that she is a hero. My teacher sister is the one who just got the vaccine. I'm glad VA has vaccine to offer to their teachers. I hope we see improvement on the vaccine rollout!

[ahisma]

I totally agree. I was vaxxed relatively early (due for second dose next week) - before DH (in person teacher with health issues) or our parents (75+). I work in health care, but am not clinical and pretty low risk. I get how it happened (extra health care doses before the next phase was open, so no infrastructure to give to anyone outside of healthcare and doses needed to be used)...but I've been very quiet about it because it feels like gloating. The reality is that we are critical healthcare infrastructure and there is no redundancy for my position and we do see patients onsite, but...ugh.

But...then I found out DH's niece got it early too...because she does occasional babysitting.

[mom2binsd]

DD who is 17, came home from her work at the ice rink, said the health dept vaccine site that is a part of the building where the rink is, told them they often have no shows or extra vaccine available and they hate to waste them, so they will pop over if that happens and offer to them, so to ask parents if they want to get the vaccine. I told her to absolutely take it, but not broadcast it to everyone as folks are getting upset that it's taking so long.

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[AngB]

DD who is 17, came home from her work at the ice rink, said the health dept vaccine site that is a part of the building where the rink is, told them they often have no shows or extra vaccine available and they hate to waste them, so they will pop over if that happens and offer to them, so to ask parents if they want to get the vaccine. I told her to absolutely take it, but not broadcast it to everyone as folks are getting upset that it's taking so long.

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I would do the same.

We are in MO and my mom spent 2 hours on the phone yesterday trying to track down just an appointment for my 97 yo grandmother. NOPE. The health department told her it's not their job to help them find vaccines and just to register on the sites they've already registered on.

[specialp]

I agree that they’re on the list. I just had hoped that people would allow those most in need to go first. Disappointing to see that is not the case. All for those grocery store workers who have worked tirelessly through this whole nightmare haven’t received the vaccine. They can’t sit online for hours looking for appointments so they will likely continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic.

Interesting read from today. https://khn.org/news/article/with-demand-far-exceeding-supply-it-matters-that-people-are-jumping-the-vaccine-line/

[jgenie]

Interesting read from today. https://khn.org/news/article/with-demand-far-exceeding-supply-it-matters-that-people-are-jumping-the-vaccine-line/

I saw this one today. It really is everyone out for themselves...

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/02/health/white-people-covid-vaccines-minorities.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

[klwa]

Not racial demographics, but my county is poorer than some of the surrounding area. Our county had a vaccination clinic at the local airport. People from the richer county flooded it, keeping many who had been trying to get in from our county out. Yes, they had appointments, but the vaccine was not going to those who were in the poorer area. It's definitely an issue of how to get things where they're needed.