Vaccination free for-all

[ua_guy]

Why will that cause chaos? We've already given over 95 million doses with over 30 million fully vaccinated. I think they're pacing at about 2.5 million doses per day. May 1 is 7 weeks away, so 50 days x 2.5 million doses/day = 125,000,000 more doses will have been given by May 1, bringing the total to 220,000,000.

By May 1, the majority of the country that wants a vaccine will have already gotten at least their first dose. There are only about 250,000,000 adults in the US.

I'm inspired and awed by the number of vaccine doses already given - much better than I expected, and greatly improved by the partnerships for production and distribution.

It's been tough to get appointments for the eligible groups in our state already. I anticipate once "everyone" is eligible, there will be some difficulty in securing an appointment, at least initially. In our state, I think they are planning to open up more mass-vaccination sites. Under our state's current rules, though, I'm not eligible for my first dose until April 26th and I'm in a higher-risk group. So for our state, I anticipate the floodgates opening upon an already-constrained system to deliver vaccines.

[disneysteve]

It's been tough to get appointments for the eligible groups in our state already. I anticipate once "everyone" is eligible, there will be some difficulty in securing an appointment, at least initially. In our state, I think they are planning to open up more mass-vaccination sites. Under our state's current rules, though, I'm not eligible for my first dose until April 26th and I'm in a higher-risk group. So for our state, I anticipate the floodgates opening upon an already-constrained system to deliver vaccines.

Which state? What seems to be the sticking point there? If you are in a high-risk group, why so long to be eligible? Who have they been vaccinating for the last 3 months and who is still ahead of you in line for the next 6+ weeks?

This is why leaving everything up the states is sometimes a horrendous idea. This is a national emergency. The Fed should be running the show.

[ua_guy]

Which state? What seems to be the sticking point there? If you are in a high-risk group, why so long to be eligible? Who have they been vaccinating for the last 3 months and who is still ahead of you in line for the next 6+ weeks?

This is why leaving everything up the states is sometimes a horrendous idea. This is a national emergency. The Fed should be running the show.

Washington State. They are now serving group 1B-2 and previous phases. I am part of 1B-3 which becomes eligible on 4/26.

Edit: Inslee (our governor) and Dept of Health have done a good job with the roll-out IMO. In order, my parents were vaccinated first, then my sister became eligible as a teacher. It's been open to essential workers already, people with disabilities, etc. So it makes sense that I'm farther down the line. I just wish it was sooner.

[moneybags]

Get ready for chaos. All adults will be eligible by May 1.

Illinois' governor is saying maybe on that date. Our current date for all adults is May 31st.

[SavingBucks]

Both DH and I have had the first Moderna shot, and my second appointment is on the 30th of this month. We are both essential, and work in an industry that got a little push ahead (legitimately) in the southern California area since commerce depends on workers working. But, DD is at college in NW Idaho and of course is not eligible. Her school has indicated that there will be in-person graduation, but she does not want to attend unless she is vaccinated. Sigh.... Graduation is spread over 2 days instead of one but no further details yet. Since the university is the hub of the town, there have been vaccination events onsite for 65+. I told her to check for extra vaccines there, and perhaps see if she can volunteer there. Plus, Walmart is also providing vaccines and they may extras doses or have a list compiled for short notice. She does have asthma but it is not severe so I do not think that will be valid for the group starting March 15th. If anyone has any suggestions for her in Idaho, please let me know. Thanks!

[disneysteve]

DD is at college in NW Idaho and of course is not eligible... She does have asthma

Asthma should definitely qualify her once they start including people with high-risk and pre-existing conditions.

[disneysteve]

The US has now given more than 101 million vaccine doses. More than 35 million people are fully vaccinated (10.5%). Another 66 million (almost 20%) have gotten one dose. One third of people 65+ are fully vaccinated.

Keep in mind that we've only been doing this for 3 months, and we started with only one vaccine; we now have 3.

By May things will look dramatically better.

[HundredK]

Strange turn of events - my healthcare provider reached out and offered me a vaccine appointment for today. I have no idea why as I certainly don't qualify according to the guidelines. My husband was not offered an appointment. I tried to find out why to make sure I'm not taking one from an old/sick/otherwise qualified person, but can't get any info. So I think I'll show up to the appointment today and ask again. I don't want to take a vaccine away from someone who needs it more. But if it would end up being wasted if I decline, I'll certainly get it.

[disneysteve]

Strange turn of events - my healthcare provider reached out and offered me a vaccine appointment for today. I have no idea why as I certainly don't qualify according to the guidelines. My husband was not offered an appointment. I tried to find out why to make sure I'm not taking one from an old/sick/otherwise qualified person, but can't get any info. So I think I'll show up to the appointment today and ask again. I don't want to take a vaccine away from someone who needs it more. But if it would end up being wasted if I decline, I'll certainly get it.

If it's being offered, take it. Maybe they had cancellations. Maybe they got more than they anticipated. The reason really doesn't matter. As I said earlier, the one and only goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible. The tiers and priority lists are just organizational tools. They need not be strictly adhered to as doing so can and has resulted in wasted doses.

Hopefully your husband can get his soon, as well.

[Like2Plan]

Strange turn of events - my healthcare provider reached out and offered me a vaccine appointment for today. I have no idea why as I certainly don't qualify according to the guidelines. My husband was not offered an appointment. I tried to find out why to make sure I'm not taking one from an old/sick/otherwise qualified person, but can't get any info. So I think I'll show up to the appointment today and ask again. I don't want to take a vaccine away from someone who needs it more. But if it would end up being wasted if I decline, I'll certainly get it.

Maybe your healthcare provider was reading this thread.....

[kork13]

Steve is 100% correct. Take the appointment, get the vaccine. I appreciate your sentiment of not cutting in line, but the "line" is only a framework to help guide priority -- it's not federal law. You didn't even seek it out, it was offered to you by your doctor. Get the shot, and while you're there, go ahead and ask about your husband. All that really matters is to get everyone vaccinated that were can.

[kork13]

FWIW, my wife has a similar situation -- she is currently pregnant, but is due any day now (overdue as of 10 Mar). Last week, our medical clinic called & offered her the vaccine, because pregnant women are considered at higher risk. So she now has an appointment for 31 Mar. She will absolutely not be pregnant at that point, but we both feel totally comfortable with her still accepting the vaccine, and fully expect the clinic to still provide it even with newborn baby in hand.

I'm deploying in roughly a month, and that status cut me to the front of the line as well, even though I'm perfectly healthy. My 2nd dose is scheduled for the 18th. Zero qualms about getting it sooner than most, because what matters most is getting anyone & everyone vaccinated ASAP.

[HundredK]

I did go ahead and get the vaccine (Moderna). I was taken aback at just how many people were there to get them, had to be thousands. They were giving them out at the state fairgrounds, quite surreal standing in line like cattle in the middle of an empty fairgrounds complex during a pandemic to get vaccinated. I asked the guy who gave me the shot "why me?", and he said he didn't know... he said he's been working in the COVID ICU and wasn't able to get his shots until very recently and suggested I just go forward with it. So there you have it. Thanks for all your input, that helped me think about it better too. Unfortunately they wouldn't give one to the husband, so he will have to wait until his lucky day rolls around I guess.

[Like2Plan]

I did go ahead and get the vaccine (Moderna)..

That is awesome! My DH was eligible before I was and he didn't want to go ahead of me. I told him to go ahead and get it--then I wouldn't have to worry about him as much. Plus, I would only have to be looking for one appointment (instead of two)--which makes it easier.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that fully vaccinated people have 0% chance of death or severe hospitalization from COVID. Is that correct?