VACCINE AVAILABILITY

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

On 2/2/2021 at 7:22 PM, CruiserBruce said:

The number has now been upped to 300 million doses each.

Is that all staying in the U.S. ?????

[CruiserBruce]

15 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Is that all staying in the U.S. ?????

Yes, that is contracted with the US. Remember both Moderna and Pfizer (and Johnson and Johnson) have contracts with other countries as well.

[kazu]

On 2/6/2021 at 1:56 PM, bennybear said:

I wish I shared your optimism, but looking at the modelling for the new variants, it’s not looking good with easing of restrictions in Ontario, Alberta And Quebec.  

 

I agree with you and share the same concern.  I am glad I am in New Brunswick.  Our Premier has announced no Zone will move to Code Yellow until are most vulnerable have been vaccinated.

[Mary229]

Just throwing this out there for speculative discussion - it is too late to change course so I fully understand this is just discussion:

 

During the polio vaccination campaign it was done neighborhood by neighborhood.  They would bring to the local school or church a team and the entire neighborhood would line up and be vaccinated in a day then off to the next neighborhood.   It  seems to me that is like creating pocket herd immunity.

 

It may have been a better system than the "lottery system" we are using.  What I mean by that is if you fall into the group qualified for vaccines they put you on a list and you are selected by a lottery - who signs up quickest!  This system just seems to create a lot of angst.

[KroozNut]

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

It may have been a better system than the "lottery system" we are using.  What I mean by that is if you fall into the group qualified for vaccines they put you on a list and you are selected by a lottery - who signs up quickest!  This system just seems to create a lot of angst.

 

That's 21st century technology for you. Sometimes it works like a champ, and other times it fails miserably.

[Laminator]

Dr Scott Gottlieb said on one of the news shows this morning that supply may exceed demand in the US by the end of May or June. The fact that Pfizer pulled out of India may open up even more vaccine availability for the US.

 

[iceman93]

6 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Just throwing this out there for speculative discussion - it is too late to change course so I fully understand this is just discussion:

 

During the polio vaccination campaign it was done neighborhood by neighborhood...

 

It may have been a better system than the "lottery system" we are using...

I see what you're saying, and the truth is we'll never know.  But I think (not being a medical professional or infectious disease specialist) the difference is that polio was a serious threat to people of all ages and medical conditions.  COVID-19 is, if we're being honest, only a serious threat to a very small segment of the population (elderly and with certain pre-existing conditions), so it makes sense to vaccinate the at-risk people first.

 

I haven't seen anyplace that's using a "lottery system", or first-come, first-served approach, have you?  Everyplace I've seen is using a tiered approach to vaccination distribution that is actually focused on protecting the vulnerable first.

[Mary229]

51 minutes ago, iceman93 said:

 

I haven't seen anyplace that's using a "lottery system", or first-come, first-served approach, have you? 

It is first tiered by 1a, 1b but then it becomes a lottery.   If you are in the groups it is those that are quick enough to sign up.  The reason I got mine so early was I was working at my desk at the precise moment the call went out and quickly, without a second’s delay, signed up.  That reaction time and technology aptitude was the roll of the dice I won. 

[nocl]

9 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Just throwing this out there for speculative discussion - it is too late to change course so I fully understand this is just discussion:

 

During the polio vaccination campaign it was done neighborhood by neighborhood.  They would bring to the local school or church a team and the entire neighborhood would line up and be vaccinated in a day then off to the next neighborhood.   It  seems to me that is like creating pocket herd immunity.

 

It may have been a better system than the "lottery system" we are using.  What I mean by that is if you fall into the group qualified for vaccines they put you on a list and you are selected by a lottery - who signs up quickest!  This system just seems to create a lot of angst.

There would still be angst, just in a different way.

 

With a supply shortage going community by community as with the polio program it would still create a lot of angst among those whose community was not selected.  If they followed the polio model the first communities would be those that have the highest infection rate.  Which with COVID are often the communities with the least compliance to the mask and distancing guidelines.  

Edited February 8, 2021 by nocl

[nocl]

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

It is first tiered by 1a, 1b but then it becomes a lottery.   If you are in the groups it is those that are quick enough to sign up.  The reason I got mine so early was I was working at my desk at the precise moment the call went out and quickly, without a second’s delay, signed up.  That reaction time and technology aptitude was the roll of the dice I won. 

They should be doing a registry, but no sign of anyone doing that yet.

[Mary229]

7 hours ago, nocl said:

They should be doing a registry, but no sign of anyone doing that yet.

I am also on the registries and those simply are not working.  Those are mainly with the hospitals and they are dragging their feet - here.  In south Louisiana, where some of my family reside, it is working very well.

[Cruise Suzy]

11 hours ago, iceman93 said:

I haven't seen anyplace that's using a "lottery system", or first-come, first-served approach, have you?  Everyplace I've seen is using a tiered approach to vaccination distribution that is actually focused on protecting the vulnerable first.

 

Several counties in FL use the first-come, first-served approach with no registry in that they announce when shots will be given, say 8-5. Then eligible folks start lining up at midnight - in cars along the highway or in lawn chairs along the building.

 

Other counties and pharmacies do have a registry of eligible folks with limited slots available - sometimes very limited - and once on the registry, it's first-come, first-served for appointments.

 

As the available vaccine doses increase in number, the system will be better able to serve all who want a vaccine when their tier opens. Until then, much patience is needed.

Edited February 8, 2021 by Cruise Suzy

[ABoatNerd]

Last time I checked, Canada was 33rd in ranking of vaccinations. A federal government national failure of epic proportions.

 

I am currently in Ottawa, Canada. The public health line for booking has been closed for 4 weeks. I am eligible for a vaccination as an essential care giver, nothing. My elderly dad of 93, nothing. Residents in his retirement home, nothing.

 

Nothing happening in a city of +1million. 

 

So I am ignoring the vaccine going forward and getting out and living and thriving. 

[nocl]

5 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I am also on the registries and those simply are not working.  Those are mainly with the hospitals and they are dragging their feet - here.  In south Louisiana, where some of my family reside, it is working very well.

I am talking about setting up a  state wide registry that would be the only method for getting appointments.  One that would also track demand by vaccination site area to be used for both the scheduling of appointments, as well as the actual demand.  One that would also support a JIT shipping of vaccine since the demand and appointments would be known Not something within a given institution.  Those just add to one having to track a multitude of options to try and get a dose.

[Mary229]

33 minutes ago, nocl said:

I am talking about setting up a  state wide registry that would be the only method for getting appointments.  One that would also track demand by vaccination site area to be used for both the scheduling of appointments, as well as the actual demand.  One that would also support a JIT shipping of vaccine since the demand and appointments would be known Not something within a given institution.  Those just add to one having to track a multitude of options to try and get a dose.

All of the vaccines are sent to the state and they distribute them to the hubs.  These are state-scantioned hubs.  

[bennybear]

16 hours ago, iceman93 said:

  COVID-19 is, if we're being honest, only a serious threat to a very small segment of the population (elderly and with certain pre-existing conditions), so it makes sense to vaccinate the at-risk people first.

This is incorrect,  we’ve had several twenty and thirty year olds die without preexisting conditions.  Children have died, and for many there are long term complications.  

[san diego sue]

There are many sources here in San Diego county to get the vaccine. When people go on the websites and try for appointments into the  future, shows no availability. However, they are usually posted the day before or the same day. Albertson's Vons supermarkets have worked well, and now no lines when you show up for your appointment. The major medical providers also have appointments. Not easy but you keep trying their websites and appointments pop up.  The Public Health facilities are opened all over San Diego county. Also Sharp Health has several locations set  up.  Some Medical providers(HMO) are not advertising they have the vaccine but they do and are setting appointments. People have to spend a  bit of time on their computers, willing to drive(nothing really far, furthest we have seen from where we live in North San Diego county was 45 minutes. We chose to try for an appointment at our own HMO and have gotten our first shot last week .My HMO is still doing only 75 and older but everywhere else it is 65.

For anyone that lives in the North part of San Diego county, Cal State San Marcos posts their appts. at noon the day before. It is a huge facility and no crowds.

Patience and persistance and you will get vaccinated.

[Cruise NH]

Here in New Hampshire we have a registry, no first come first served. 

 

For example this is how it worked for my husband and I aged 74 and 65.  We are in the 1B category and registration opened for us on Jan 22nd with shots given starting Jan 26th.  After registering you get an email and with a link to schedule your appointment.  (The state is working to combine registration and appt for future categories).

 

My husband and I got appointments for Feb 2nd (a snow storm was expected that day so the state very efficiently moved us up to Feb 1st, same time same location).  Others, who had problems going on line or had to work with the VERY inefficient hotline don't have appts until March or April but the state is moving those people up as our allotment of vaccine goes up.

 

The only glitch we've had is scheduling 2nd appts.  That caused a lot of frustration last week.  We finally got appts within a couple of days of the '28 days' required by Moderna so we're all set now but it was kind of a hassle.  Starting yesterday the state started giving people an appt for their 2nd dose when they got their first one so that should help that situation.

 

To me a registry is the fairest and easiest way to go although folks who are technology challenged can be disadvantaged.

[Cinder Again]

I am in SC, and inexplicably, we were originally given the LEAST amount of vaccine, even though we are not even within the lowest (by population). Our Governor required first doses be given to the sick and elderly in long term nursing, along with hospitals staff. With the remainder, they started with police, fire and rescue, and Doctors and Dentists and their staff. Now they are set for second shots, and they’ve just begun whittling away at citizens 70+. Their scheduled first appts got well into March. Today they added 65+, and I got an appt for 4/6/21. I feel lucky to now be in the queue. It seems a lot of the shot distribution sites are using the CDC scheduling site VAMS, although my local hospital isn’t in that program yet. My Doctor told me that more nurses are refusing the shots than they expected, so that is why they were able to shift course. I am surprised they were given that choice, if they work in the hospital setting. This may never happen, but I would love at least a semblance of our lives back.

i think we have to be patient with our governments. This is a monumental undertaking!

[idiebabe]

25 minutes ago, Cinder Again said:

I am in SC, and inexplicably, we were originally given the LEAST amount of vaccine, even though we are not even within the lowest (by population). Our Governor required first doses be given to the sick and elderly in long term nursing, along with hospitals staff. With the remainder, they started with police, fire and rescue, and Doctors and Dentists and their staff. Now they are set for second shots, and they’ve just begun whittling away at citizens 70+. Their scheduled first appts got well into March. Today they added 65+, and I got an appt for 4/6/21. I feel lucky to now be in the queue. It seems a lot of the shot distribution sites are using the CDC scheduling site VAMS, although my local hospital isn’t in that program yet. My Doctor told me that more nurses are refusing the shots than they expected, so that is why they were able to shift course. I am surprised they were given that choice, if they work in the hospital setting. This may never happen, but I would love at least a semblance of our lives back.

i think we have to be patient with our governments. This is a monumental undertaking!

You were lucky to get April!  I totally agree with you that SC received the Least amount of Vaccine!  CMC was allowing 65+ to "request an appointment" last Friday and I "registered" both of us.  Also, did the same with Tidelands this morning.  Walgreens in Murrells Inlet (a site located on DHEC) said "Nothing Available at this time".  I called DHEC and they said SC is awaiting more Vaccines and there's not enough right now to do the 70+ that already are in System and have requested Appointments.  We won't be contacted until those with requests are called and Scheduled.  Patiently we wait but will keep checking every day to see if something opens up at some other locations. 

[Cruise NH]

1 hour ago, idiebabe said:

You were lucky to get April!  I totally agree with you that SC received the Least amount of Vaccine!  CMC was allowing 65+ to "request an appointment" last Friday and I "registered" both of us.  Also, did the same with Tidelands this morning.  Walgreens in Murrells Inlet (a site located on DHEC) said "Nothing Available at this time".  I called DHEC and they said SC is awaiting more Vaccines and there's not enough right now to do the 70+ that already are in System and have requested Appointments.  We won't be contacted until those with requests are called and Scheduled.  Patiently we wait but will keep checking every day to see if something opens up at some other locations. 

 

It's been eye opening to say the least to see how the states are doing things differently.  We are a small state (NH) and I think I saw on the news tonight that we're getting 21,000 doses this coming week.  The nationwide distribution of doses is based on the state's population and we have something like 1.4M people in the whole state.  

 

They hope to be through the 1B folks (age 65 and over) by April.  Then hope to schedule the next phase (2A teachers) and (2B 50-64 yr olds) sometime in March for appointments later in the spring.  The state estimates that there are about 25,000 people in 2A and 200,000 people in 2B so you can see we're not dealing with a lot of people.  

 

I hope the doses delivered to states continue to rise and that everyone who wants one can get a vaccine by summer.  The J&J vaccine, assuming it's approved, should help.

 

 

[DaveOKC]

I think that at least part of the problem in why some states seem to have more vaccines available to us over 65 people is that the distribution to each state probably was done in proportion to the total population of each state.  However, some states (like Florida for example) have very high elderly populations and this distorts the plan of action (takes much longer to get to all the 65+ people).

 

Just a thought...........

 

 

[Diver2014]

I'm in SC and I've been trying to register as a 65+ all day.  I fill out the online form, then hit the send key and nothing happens.  Guess there are too many applying today since it's the first day for the 65+ people. I would like to be vaccinated in case cruises start up again within the next who knows how many months.

[Cruise NH]

44 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

I think that at least part of the problem in why some states seem to have more vaccines available to us over 65 people is that the distribution to each state probably was done in proportion to the total population of each state.  However, some states (like Florida for example) have very high elderly populations and this distorts the plan of action (takes much longer to get to all the 65+ people).

 

Just a thought...........

 

 

 

Yes!  I think you're right I hadn't thought of that.

[nocl]

5 hours ago, Mary229 said:

All of the vaccines are sent to the state and they distribute them to the hubs.  These are state-scantioned hubs.  

Let me try this one more time.

 

Under the type of registry I am talking about everyone in a state would sign up to one registry.  The would provide the necessary contact information, medical data, age, profession, location, etc. All of the information to determine where one fits into the priority.  That data would be processed. The list would be put in priority sequence, broken down by locations.  The people on the list would be notified when they position on the list has been reached, the appointment and location assigned (this may involved the person having some options for scheduling.  That information would also be sent to the location.  The number of appointments at a locationwould determine the amount of product sent out.  Under such a system a central location would have the complete list of people in the registry, the complete appointment schedule, the information needed to schedule shipments without product sitting in a location.  One would easily know exactly how many remain in each category by location. One would know exactly where they set in the queue so to speak.

 

Have done this during a product release when the number of patients needing the product exceeded the manufacturing capability.  Only the registry was international, not statewide. Easy enough to do such a system.  Could have been easily done while waiting for the vaccines to be approved.