Community Chat

[Carmie]

---

@occasionalrain wrote:

@Another new name Sue 

I haven't  registered  nor do I intend to get the vaccine until it's available from my doctor. This mass, mismanaged distribution with volunteers,  health care students... giving shots is unsafe in my opinion.

---

I don't think individual doctors are getting the vaccine to give to their patients.  They have no way to store it to keep it cold enough so that it doesn't spoil.

Eventually, you will have to get it someplace where proper handling of the vaccine can take place.  You do not have to be a medical professional to give an injection.  People even give themselves injections in their homes everyday for non Covid reasons.

[SeaMaiden]

---

@Xivambala wrote:

I will share experience with my first Pfizer vaccine administered yesterday in Ft Lauderdale, FL. I waited a long time for my appointment and was not given a choice of locations to go to. I was assigned to a soccer stadium that was not a drive thru location. It was very well organized. People are screened before coming for known COVID exposure. That doesn't stop someone from lying or indicate that someone may be exposed and not know it. Can we really ensure no one has had an exposure? People were temperature screened before being allowed to enter the check-in area. There was a line, not too long, with floor markers 6 feet apart. The very elderly and people with mobility problems were allowed to bypass the line. I was in and out within 50 minutes of my appointment time. This included 30 minutes wait time after the injection which I needed due to a prior reaction to a flu vaccination.

---

This sounds doable..... but when people are in line for 5 hours with no bathrooms.... not going to do that....

[occasionalrain]

I'm not concerned for myself, I'm  not in group A, have no health conditions.

Not all vaccines need extreme  sub zero temperatures, some only need regular refrigeration.  

If, I were among those with dangerous health conditions, I'd take the risk of getting this vaccine now but since I'm  not, I'm going to wait.

[skatting44]

---

@occasionalrain wrote:

What about seniors waiting in line for hours around others who may have the virus scans symptoms?  Even if they aren't exposed to the virus, this waiting is stressful and can't  be good for their health.

Is it safe to get the vaccine if one, unknowingly, has the virus?

How can one be sure those responsible for maintaining the vaccine at the proper temperature can be trusted?

---

 You have the right to inquire and question any staff who is in charge of maintaining the integrity of the vaccine  at any site. 

Unfortunately, most who are administering the vaccine are not the ones that  have anything to do with vaccine integrity  , so ask for supervisors  . Each responsible agent must maintain a log checking on the  freezer temperature  or refridgerator  temp for  Moderna vaccine . here's the  web info for Moderna  www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/eua-fact-sheet-providers.pdf  . 

This info  includes how long it can be stored frozen and how long it can be in the refrigerator   and how long it can be  stored at room temp ( 59 to 77 degrees  F )  once the vial has been punctured to  administer doses .   Unfortunately, jsut like any place that you receive a vaccine you are at the mercy of who ever  is storing and administering it to follow  proper protocol . Since  vaccines have been moved out of the realm of Doctors offices and Registered  Nurse"s realm , in my opinion  it's difficult to trust  if anyone knows protocol or follows proper protocol .

[BlueFinch]

I've been calling a senior vaccine clinic in my area that opened up this morning for appointments. I started calling at 08:00. It's now after 11:00.  After redials for hours, all I get is busy, although on TV they keep saying they're still taking calls. I'm exhausted.

I think I'm going to wait until things settle down more and just continue strict precautions.  I'm not too keen on feeling like being herded like cattle, anyway. And, it IS, risky. When rushing people through, mistakes can be made. 

Besides, I don't think it's safe to join masses,  for a vaccine to prevent an illness,  that we might be standing right next to.

I do want the vaccine, but I will wait until it's more readily available and there's some control over the environment where I receive it. 

[happycat]

---

@Vivian wrote:

I have had nothing but frustration while trying to sign up for vaccinations for me and my husband. I officially give up unless and until I hear that a great number of vaccines has become available. Nobody in my family has been vaccinated. We live in NY, NJ, MD, and CA. Dr Fauci tells us that we should be vaccinated ASAP to outrun the mutations in the virus that can create more virulent strains. What are we supposed to do? I have quarantined myself for almost a year. This is nuts!

---

I understand your frustration. I have spent literal hours online and on the phone trying to get my elderly parents an appointment to get vaccinated. 

One of the larger hospitals in this state started taking appointments last week, I registered my parents online which was unbelievably easy after the humps I'd jumped thru at other places. They were called Thursday with an appointment for two weeks and about 3 weeks after that for the second one. 

Meanwhile, they have been on three other lists locally for at least 3 weeks and have heard nothing. 

Good luck to you, @Vivian  and everyone else who is trying to get the vaccine. 

[Still Raining]

Just like last fall when they did the flu shots in retail establishments, no way any senior I know will go to a mass mess.

If we are safer staying home, why go out?

Hopefully it will become more orderly.

[Xivambala]

It's inhumane to have anyone wait in line for that long, let alone at a Veteran's hospital. They should be ashamed of themselves.

---

@occasionalrain wrote:

@Xivambala 

Thanks, it seems whomever is in charge in your area is better organized than many places.

I saw on the news that a veteran's hospital in the NE had senior veterans waiting hours standing outside in the cold.

---

[riley1]

Wow, my hubby went for his first dose and said it ran smoothly. He was done in about 30 min. at most 40 min. He was given a specific time, there was someone calling out times - when yours was called they directed you to the back of the area and there were about 12 people administering the shots. Then he sat for 15 minutes and was released.

I'm shocked it ran easily. It opens at 9 am I think and goes to 5 pm. You had to make the appt on-line and wait for a call for your appt day/time.

[suzyQ3]

I have no concerns regardin the storage of the vaccine. I trust those in charge to know if there has been a breach.

There does come a time when we just have to put aside every possibly worry.

I do feel fortunate that our appt tomorrow is at a drive-through. What's not fortunate is that it is a goo hour commute both ways. That, plus the wait, makes me a bit frantic bladder-wise. I hope the have portable potties.

I even thought about bringing a L&L container and some toilet paper, but my husband nixed that dumb idea, to put it mildly.