States time to plan and prepare
Quote:
Originally Posted by
elvis14
In all fairness, they have only really had 7 days to prepare and they are playing catchup :mad:
Not sure why you say that.
When the 3rd stage trials were started the states knew they would probably have to deal with vaccines that needed cold storage and two shots 3 to 4 weeks apart. While it might have been much better if the Fed govt did not have Operation Warp Speed or whatever stop at state lines, the states should have been making plans. How to handle this is not a trivial problem and for the states to push it down to counties and health departments really seems like a mistake to me.
Here is a snapshot of what I saw in CA and LA County.
First vaccines went supposed to go to health care workers, skilled nursing homes, etc. I think hospitals took care of their staffs and pharmacies the nursing homes.
Each health department health department handled things their own way. Long Beach, which is in LA County but has its own health department, started to vaccinate seniors. They had a sign up system that allowed anyone to sign up and on day 1 evidently gave vaccine to any senior, but on days 2 and 3 you had to be a senior in Long Beach or a health care worker. For others day 2 and day 3 appointments canceled.
Statewide CA was sticking to the restrictive tier. Then reports came and CA was 50th out of 50 in vaccine usage.
CA then said seniors could get the shot. Ralph[s (Kroger) pharmacy took appointments and gave shots to some seniors that evening. The next morning LA County told Ralph's to stop, seniors only, and appointment were canceled. LA County Supervisors got a lot heat from seniors and after a few days met with the Health Department and LA opened to seniors. (My wife and I followed this closely and were able to quickly get appointments received our first shot on 1/21. Told we are scheduled for the 2nd Pfizer in 21 days.)
Mad scramble to get the vaccine. Spots fill quickly. People line up and wait all day for the shots that might be thrown away if not used at the end of the day. Very difficult for those without time, computer access, diligence etc. to get appointments. County sites are mostly drive thru so you need a car.
However from my experience the process of actually getting the shot at an LA County site was smooth and they are well run.
When I made my first Ralph's appointment I made a 2nd 28 days later. I can not figure out how to cancel it (Call an 800 number and what for 30 minutes then gave up). Got a notice that it could be delayed up to 4 weeks. Ralph's must think this is my first. Have also heard that Ralph's let you give your appointment to someone else.
Anecdotal stories:
Someone whose appointment at Ralph's was canceled goes in a week or so after the appointment. Ralph's gave her the shot. No guarantee about the 2nd. She made an appointment elsewhere for the 2nd.
Guy with an appointment goes to an LA County site. Wife without an appointment rides along. Both get shots.
LA County gives volunteers a shot if they work a day. Spots are hard to get but no age requirement. just 18 or over.
Hospital volunteers who had not volunteered since March given shots as health care workers. Not sure how LA County defined a health care worker. From Docs I know almost all heath care workers who want a shot have had ample opportunity to sign up before LA County opened to seniors.
SoCal
Epidemiologist says Biden administration needs to focus on first vaccine dose
Osterholm on Meet the Press this morning was pretty demoralizing. Talking about an inevitable new wave coming that will be much worse than what we’ve seen so far.
"Michael Osterholm, a top epidemiologist who advised President Joe Biden’s transition team on the coronavirus pandemic, said Sunday that the U.S. needs to “call an audible” with its vaccination program, prioritizing a rush to give a single dose to as many people as possible ahead of a likely surge of cases attributed to more contagious mutations of the virus."
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/mee...doses-n1256293