Because people over the age of 60-65 have weaker immune systems overall, their reactions are more likely to be milder unless they had COVID. People who recovered from it are getting hit pretty hard after both shots.
The second dose was supposed to be automatic. We were told we'd get an email (there's a state registry you sign up for when you get your first dose), but as the day got closer, no email. That's when I started cruising the appointment links and tried to call 211 to no avail. The day before we were supposed to get our second, we finally got emails, saying we are booked for second dose several days late, and they booked me and hubby to two different sites on two different days. I accepted the assigned slots but then I took a gamble and literally kept refreshing the appointments pages every hour or so, and lo and behold, they opened up the Sunday that we needed (Feb 28) at the site we preferred. So I grabbed those and as soon as I got the confirmation of those appointments I went back in to the assigned appointments and cancelled them.
We also decided to go ahead and volunteer again the day of second dose, which was fun. We weren't scheduled, and they were going to turn us away, saying "If you're here volunteering as a way to get your second shot we can't do it today, you have to go online and get an appointment." They were turning away all non-registered volunteers too ("crashers"). We explained to the coordinator that we actually had appointments for later that day and she told us to go ahead and cut all lines and get them prior to starting our shift. Big *whew* on that.
Distribution is from the state to each county. Each county has its own rules and distribution system. I could rant again on my hatred for patchwork systems, but I'll refrain for now. Suffice to say that here in San Diego hubby and I still wouldn't qualify for even a first or single dose, even though we have significant risk factors and are 60, they JUST opened it to teachers in the last 2 weeks (because they want to reopen K-12 schools in April) and it's mostly through for-profit healthcare systems. The vax sites themselves are very well organized, it's just that the system is set up to disenfranchise anyone who is under 65 and and anyone who doesn't have fast internet access. Without having volunteered for the first dose, we'd still be waiting. My daughter and her bf qualify as essential workers.
I can officially say now that my mom and I got vaccinated now (yeah!). We got the one dose J&J one. We got ours done at a drive thru set up at a local college by the military. The soldiers were really nice and it was all over in about 20 some odd minutes. We arrived about 20 minutes early and they told us no problem as they had people coming sometimes up to two hours earlier than their appointments. My arm was a bit sore and I overall felt tired last night. My joints were really sore too but I wasn't sure how soon after the vaccine you could take like advil or tylenol so I didn't take anything last night and did have trouble trying to get to sleep but not much notice of anything today. It is a relief. My mom is in her 70's and could have gotten hers about a week or two ago but had trouble getting the 2nd appointment set up so she waited. They opened the age range to include mine and added the J&J one so we went with that one. I'm just happy to know my mom got hers. We don't have tons of contact with my family but over 12 of them got covid this last year and I was always worrying about my mother getting it. I hope things work out for everyone who hasn't gotten theirs yet and for anyone they are worrying about getting it too ? . @laura-f I also appreciate the advice you all posted on keeping extra copies which I hadn't thought about doing. ?
For anyone here who is frustrated with trying to set up vaccine appointments, and especially if you live in Mass, there are volunteers in Mass who have figured out how to get an appointment and they helped us. They are tech savvy and figured out how to navigate the state's horrific decentralized vaccine system.
They mentioned they might try to do it in other states, especially since as of Friday, Massachusetts finally set up a supposedly better system for people.
If you or a friend are able to get in touch with this volunteer group, they might be able to help you.
The second link is their resource page. Although it is for Massachusetts, there are some tips on how to get your computer to alert you to openings, how to get your computer to automatically fill out forms and auto-refresh. Apologies if this doesn't help you. But you never know!
Here is a resource site they set up for Mass which isn't your state, but it might provide some tips. https://macovidvaxhelp.com/resources
Thank you Jeanne. I had just deleted my post because I felt it was kind of whiny.
I was able to register with something similar today, volunteers to help with appointments in my state. I remain a little hopeful.
@ghandigirl Let us know what happens. You were not at all whiny, by the way. I thought I was going to go crazy until I found these young women. Trying to get an appointment on my own was soul crushing. I was so cynical when I filled out their information. Then, bingo, they got back to me ten days later with an appointment. Not only was I happy about the appointment, but I couldn't believe someone out there was going to do this for me. It is an amazing feeling to connect with someone who just wants to help people and then to let yourself be vulnerable enough to receive it.
Update! The health department called and have scheduled me for Dose 2 tomorrow. I'm not canceling my "across the state" appointment on Sunday until the shot is in my arm, but I'm excited.
@lovendures - I want to clarify my case was the exception rather than the rule. Everyone I know of who has been able to get the vaccine has reported things went really smoothly. While my non-essential family members are starting to get frustrated that they haven't been called yet, they're still finishing the Phase 1B here and are planning on having it open to all by the beginning of April which is fantastic! My overall concern though is for people in the very small group like myself that didn't get their second one on schedule. :-)
Here is what The NY Times is saying about people's reaction to the vaccine. Women tend to react more than men to vaccines in general and the Covid vaccine is no different.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/08/health/vaccine-side-effects-women-men.html
As for taking Tylenol, I'm going to follow @laura's suggestion to avoid it. I'm getting my second dose tomorrow and hoping I will be well enough to make the Circle of Light tomorrow night.
The good part is where they say that these reactions are a sign that the vaccine is working.
@dannyboy Glad you are getting yours sorted out. We registered with Meijer Pharmacy (major grocery store here in Michigan, for those of you elsewhere) and my husband got his call just last week and is scheduled for this Friday. I am eligible as of March 22 (due to my asthma - it opens up to 16+ with a medical condition.) So, hoping things continue to roll out smoothly across the state.
My husband knew of an elderly friend who was able to get scheduled via a Vaccine Angels group, similar to what Jeanne described but for Michigan -- not sure they are still operating, though (couldn't find the details just now.)