My daughter was scheduled for her second dose this coming week but all weekend vaccination appointments were cancelled at that site. She was told she could bring her card and just "show up" to one the following week. So far, 3 out of 4 people in my family had their second doses cancelled and had to figure our a different way to get the second dose on their own. 2 of them had the 2nd dose appointment cancelled twice in a row.
Good luck to all who are getting dose 1 or 2 I the near future. I am really excited for you.
@lovendures That is so unacceptable. They should not do first doses without having the supply for second doses.
@jeanne-mayell I got the Moderna vaccine three weeks ago through a miraculous series of coincidences at a Kroger five minutes from my house and had no line. The pharmacist told me that I should expect a reaction to the second shot, as 80% of ppl she's seen had a flu shot type reaction to the second one, chills etc. Told me to have Tylenol, Aleve and antihistamine ready.
The sign up for Kroger wasn't working correctly, but it had to do with the state you chose improperly screening ppl out. The pharmacist told me to choose a different state, and once I passed the screening questions and got to the zip code lookup, she said to enter my zip and the sign up would work properly, which it did.
Also try using https://vaccinefinder.org/search/ to find your shot. Several friends of mine were able to find a shot through there. If in Texas, another site to use is https://tdem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3700a84845c5470cb0dc3ddace5c376b This is where I found out the Kroger by me had shots available.
@lovendures the same thing happened to my daughter. She’s a junior at college in Connecticut and a clinical student. I was very concerned because we all spent so much time trying to get a spot. Long story short some of the girls went to a hospital and explained the situation and they were given the second shot. Thankfully it worked out. Maybe your daughter can contact a medical facility and see if they will vaccinate her. Good luck. Ill send a prayer that all works out in the best and easiest way.
Well, Arizona has just become the Vaccination Hunger Games state.
I was really mad but now I am ...
I think I actually feel betrayed.
Nope I am still mad.
Ok, maybe both.
Currently the cut off for vaccinations is 55 as well as front line essential workers, not a more broad essential worker component and not really anything for anyone with compromised health issues like lung disease, cancer or diabetes.
It was supposed to opened up to 45+ in April. Not any more. It is opening up this week to anyone 16 and above. What this means any 54 year old immune compromised person will be competing for a slot against a healthy 16 year old.
My husband was able to get his vaccination in his age category this last round only by jumping through a lot of hoops. I can't even imagine what it will be like beginning Wednesday.
Oh man, I just realized this means is my 21 year old daughter and I will be competing for vaccination spots...
I was really mad but now I am ...
I think I actually feel betrayed.
Nope I am still mad.
Ok, maybe both.
You are the only person I know who can express rage and make me laugh in a happy way. But seriously, Arizona. A governor who does not know how to govern.
@lovendures I'm in the Left Behind Demographic in California; 55-64. I'm not working, sick enough, or old enough to qualify. Asthma is not recognized as a health concern. Somehow being in the middle zone has put me at the back of the line.
@theungamer I'm right there with you.
It's disgraceful the way certain states are handling this. I understand your frustration and anger (though I agree w/Jeanne that if anyone can express that and still make you laugh it's you lol). I wish I could help everyone to get their vaccine. The way TX, FL, AZ are all handling the vaccine and everything else (FL with the Spring breakers etc.) is awful.
I'm scheduled for my 2nd Moderna one on April 2. My husband just got his first one (Pfizer) on Sunday. A close family friend of ours is older than us and she said she can't get her vaccine yet, so I had my husband (Mr. computer /internet guy) help her. She just started using a smart phone and is definitely not computer savvy. The harsh reality in CT is if you are not computer savvy, the process takes a month longer to get a vaccine. There are 4 avenues to get one, 1. VAMS website (government one) 2. CVS or Walgreens, 3. Healthcare provider groups, and now 4. Stop and Shop Pharmacies. The government one doesn't tie into the other three. This is what someone like our friend didn't realize. She was using what she thought was the sole website (VAMS) and didn't realize it did not link to the others. So my husband will be helping her find a vaccine by doing it for her every morning. That's the other thing, easiest way is the pharmacy route and you have to do it at certain times in the morning (early) before the appointments are gone.
Two friends of mine have experienced a rash that went away in 24 hrs from the Pfizer one. The 2nd shot of either Moderna or Pfizer (seems especially in women) knocks you down for a couple of days (flu like symptoms on top of the sore arm). I know someone who had the same flu like symptoms from the J&J vaccine but they are younger (21) and it seems like younger folks have more reactions to it. A scientist I know told me that women seem to experience a bit more symptoms because in general women tend to have more "active immune systems".
Praying everyone gets their vaccines and stays safe! ?
@triciact Hi !!! Just some personal observations re FL, vaccine distribution, and side-effects.
I'm in FL (NOT S FL). The vaccine distribution is not perfect but we are getting there. The age limit was dropped to 50 this week. It was easy for me and my spouse to get our first shot and we have appts for our second. Was also easy for my mom and older sister who got theirs last month. The first few weeks were chaotic, but within the last month things have become much more organized. There are major, sincere efforts to get underserved areas vaccinated via outreach of churches and other community organizations. (Indeed a few weeks back there was a controversy indicating the Gov. might have prioritized a rich, Rep., senior community, but I don't know all the facts so I do not feel qualified to analyze the motives behind the decision. Gov claims it was just that there were a lot of seniors concentrated in one place so it was an easy target... but who knows. Not me.)
The idiocy of spring-breakers in S FL is another issue and unrelated to vax distribution. (And I wouldn't live in Miami at any time-- COVID or not--for pretty much any amount of $$$$--- unless I could use said $$$$ to vacation elsewhere at least 11 months of the year. ? )
The majority of people I know who have gotten the vaccine haven't been hit hard by side effects--- I just know personally one lady (mid 60's) whose 2nd Pfizer knocked her on her butt. (And then there is Jeanne of course. ? ) It really seems to depend on the individual-- I am not certain I believe it is dependent on age from what anecdotal evidence I've witnessed. Spouse and I had almost no reaction to our 1st Pfizers despite being very healthy, hardly ever getting sick, and being at the youngest extreme of the group being vaxxed at the time. At the same time, some very old people I know had reactions, though mild ones, to both. This is even though younger people and people with good immune systems are supposed to have stronger reactions. I think generalizations are pretty much useless at this point in the knowledge paradigm.
All I can say to people is : just keep trying and trying to get the vax and if you have a chance, take it! Even a weekend of flu symptoms has got to be better than COVID or even fear of COVID. I know I might lose a few days of productivity if I have a strong reaction to the second dose but I really don't care. ❤️ ❤️ ? ? ❤️ ❤️ to all!
I'm so glad to hear you didn't have any severe reactions to the vaccine and they are taking the right steps now in your area.
We both have our 2nd shots scheduled and are so grateful. We're trying to help our friends get vaccinated, and one of the couples that we are close friends/neighbors with said to us: "they are waiting and not getting it now". No explanation and I hope and pray they don't mean they are never getting it. My husband got the feeling they want to wait and see, but it really upset me. I told him to tell them they won't be getting invited over our house if they are not ever getting vaccinated. I just felt it is so unfair. The couple in question are two gay males, one is from Cambodia (he's been our friend all our life) and he had a bad reaction and experience to a vaccine when he was younger. The other is a GOP/ T supporter. It's a sticky situation because I don't know how to react to them now. It scares me to think of so many people who are not going to get the vaccine but we need them to. I think (don't quote me) that we have to achieve about 70% vaccination in order to get to herd immunity. It's criminal that the GOP made this a political issue.
I'm praying everyone eventually gets it and we can all get back to life where we can be present with one another again. I miss hugs from my family and friends! ? ❤️ ? ?
I am sorry to hear this about your friends. At least your friend has an understandable fear of the vaccination with a prior vaccine issue. Maybe it will change their minds when they realize privileges like international travel will be contingent on vaccinations when things begin to open up again. I am sure other things will be as well.
This propaganda is really out their and influencing people through fear to not get the vaccination. Such a shame.
It appears I have won this round of the Arizona Vaccination Hunger Games.
I have an appointment for Friday. YEA!!
It was a hard fought battle but I have my first appointment.
My state opened the vaccination process to EVERYONE 16+ today, and I was prepared for chaos. There certainly was some, but I got a slot, somehow.
For those who are awaiting their turn, I offer this line from the Hunger Games:
"May the odds be ever in your favor".
Actually, I offer you much more than that. May everyone get that first and second vaccination in a way which is for the highest and greatest good and may all who are waiting continued to stay healthy during the waiting process and after receiving the shots.
Just got back from receiving my second shot of Pfizer. Yay!
The nurse at the vaccination clinic told me that Krispy Kreme is offering a free donut through the end of 2021 to all of those who show their vaccination card. I can no longer eat that stuff (sigh...), but FYI.
I also found this:
@Deetoo Hope you are doing fine after the shot. I got my Moderna second dose today, and I am doing good so far. I got the normal discomfort in the arm but that will go away in a day or two. I asked for a lollipop when the shot was over. The nurse looked at me with a funny smile in her face, then told me that they don't do that anymore, but that she can give me a sticker, and that I can even choose which one. In the end, she realized I was bluffing and we both had a laugh together. I cannot have Krispy Krem anymore either, and I would love to go back in time and have some again. :-)
@Lovendures Thank you for your best wishes. Those positive thoughts will go back to you a thousand times over. Hope you have a great vaccination day. My recommendation is to drink lots of water. It is good to heal bruised muscles. Your arm muscle is going to be invaded, so the water will help your muscle heal. It feels incredible when you are already vaccinated, and the temptation to go out and do what we are not suppose to do yet will attack you. It is not freedom what I feel, it is a sense of an anvil that is lifted off of my shoulders. I don't know how to describe it properly. But surely, we are living the proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks, @lizzie. How are you doing today? It's now been 24 hours since my second Pfizer dose and no major side effects My arm is sore and I feel exhausted, like my body is dealing with something, which is okay. Yesterday I went through about 2 hours where I had flu-like symptoms, but those quickly passed. Lizzie, I understand that feeling of an anvil being lifted off your shoulders. I feel that way too.
@lovendures, I'm so happy that you were able to schedule an appointment! This morning I'll be praying that all goes smoothly for you. As Lizzie suggested, stay well hydrated. I was also told to keep that arm moving.
@triciact, I'm happy to hear that you and your husband are scheduled for shot #2. I'm sorry about your friends. I know it's frustrating. I met with a lawn guy last week who said he's waiting before getting the vaccine, quickly adding "but I'm not one of these crazy people who won't wear masks," etc. He said his 75-year old mother didn't hesitate getting vaccinated. He won't eat in restaurants and isn't sending his children to school, even though his county gives you the option of in-class learning. He's making responsible choices. But then he contradicted himself regarding the seriousness of it, saying that he believes Covid is like the flu. He said he gets the flu shot, so vaccinations aren't the issue for him. He feels they don't know enough about this vaccine's safety, so he wants to wait for more data. So I suggested that he might feel safer with the Johnson & Johnson shot, since they use the older adenovirus technology. He didn't know about that and seemed interested. But then he remarked about how the government is using this pandemic to control us. I responded that this isn't an ideal situation, and if it were just like the flu, I might also wait to get vaccinated. I told him that I don't get the flu shot. But this virus isn't the flu, and in my view, it's nothing to fool with. Many people have died and many others have long-range and serious effects from it, which is how I made my decision. We left it there.
Yes your friend sounds just like ours does. Similar type of thinking and excuses, wanting to "wait" to see what the side effects of the vaccine are. The problem is that the side effects of the actual Covid virus are way more serious and mysterious and are already all over the news. I know two people who are having strange symptoms, months later. One gal, her hair is falling out now in clumps. Another, my god-daughter and her husband, have no sense of taste or smell still (they had covid in early Feb 2021 with flu like symptoms and a cough).
I read these 4 articles today that are very helpful. Two show that "long haulers" (those who had covid and are experiencing strange symptoms much later) are actually helped by getting the vaccine.
https://6abc.com/covid-19-vaccine-long-haulers-symptoms-medical-relief/10445532/
@Deetoo Thanks for asking. I got up tired today. I taught my courses and I was exhausted by four o'clock. But I was not feeling flu symptoms, though. After I finished my classes, I took a 2 hour nap and that did the trick. I am not tired anymore, and I even corrected 67 quizzes in two hours. The only downside is the arm, which feels better after moving it, as you said. Still just a little sore. I know that my body will be back to normal by tomorrow.
@Lovendures How are you feeling? How was your experience with the vax process?