Vaccine pop-up clinics at DC schools

[Anonymous]

I called one of the schools hosting a clinic on 11/8 yesterday, and the person I spoke with had no idea that it was happening, let alone the hours or other details.

I also spoke with our pediatrician's office (Children's). They said they had sent invitations to the kids with health issues, whom they are rightly prioritizing. My kids, thankfully, are pretty healthy, so I did not get one. But, it sounds like they will be reaching out when shots are available.

I am going to give things a week or so to settle down, and then get serious about finding shots for my kids. I expect most of the chaos will resolve quickly.

[Anonymous]

The District government has already said the school-based clinics will be first-come, first-served, and that they won't require you to be affiliated with the schools at all. The only thing I wish they'd post is the time.

I called some of the independent pharmacies listed as sites for the vaccine in D.C., all of which said they couldn't make more firm plans for appointments, etc., until they actually had the vaccine shipment in hand. Which makes some sense! It does not actually seem like it's going to be hard to get a shot next week for anyone who wants one; it may just be hard to confirm all the details of it today.

I agree that "I must book the appointment the first day after the shots are approved" is an unreasonable standard, especially if the outcome -- you get one of the first shots available -- is the same as if you booked the appointment later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The District government has already said the school-based clinics will be first-come, first-served, and that they won't require you to be affiliated with the schools at all. The only thing I wish they'd post is the time.

I called some of the independent pharmacies listed as sites for the vaccine in D.C., all of which said they couldn't make more firm plans for appointments, etc., until they actually had the vaccine shipment in hand. Which makes some sense! It does not actually seem like it's going to be hard to get a shot next week for anyone who wants one; it may just be hard to confirm all the details of it today.

I agree that "I must book the appointment the first day after the shots are approved" is an unreasonable standard, especially if the outcome -- you get one of the first shots available -- is the same as if you booked the appointment later.

This is what was said in a councilmember newsletter last week. I'm planning on getting my child to one of the locations around 4:00 PM, unless we get information instructing otherwise. Not worth messing with the pharmacy appointment systems when the city IS going to make the shots easily available in the next two weeks.

[/i]Details on the hours, documents needed, and other information about these clinics will be announced soon. [...] Most of the pop-up vaccine sites will be first come, first serve. However, a smaller number will require appointments. DC Health plans to require that a parent or guardian accompany the child being vaccinated. These clinics will be held outside of school hours, and it is likely that more will be added.[i]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

There are actual things that DC has no control over -- like supply, or actual date of approval. Plus there are actual resource constraints in the form of people who can give the shots, etc. It sounds like people are getting shots pretty quickly, and can make appointments. CVS or Walgreens having difficult appointment systems isn't DC's fault.

I know of three clinics in my neighborhood that are giving the shots next week. My school has a clinic with times on a weekend. I made an appointment at CVS for 11/14. I know that we will be getting the shot in the week or two at one of those places.

I understand that others want shots more quickly, and may have to drive out to VA or something to get it. I think people just have to understand that every individual's needs are not going to be satisfied in every way by the government. However, the government in this case seems to be rolling out the vaccines to the extent they are able, and they will be satisfying the majority of people that want the shot in the next month.

This. Omg, people on this thread are blindly narcissistic privileged jerks

Oh sure, we are "blindly narcissistic jerks" because we want our kids to be protected from Covid as soon as possible. Expecting some form of urgency and organization for the administration of a life saving vaccine is not unreasonable.

Having the vaccine on hand on the day it gets approved seems to reflect urgency. Children's calling at-risk kids' families seems to express urgency. There are many places you can get the vaccine, reflecting organization. It's just not exactly what you want. It is the government, not a concierge medical service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

There are actual things that DC has no control over -- like supply, or actual date of approval. Plus there are actual resource constraints in the form of people who can give the shots, etc. It sounds like people are getting shots pretty quickly, and can make appointments. CVS or Walgreens having difficult appointment systems isn't DC's fault.

I know of three clinics in my neighborhood that are giving the shots next week. My school has a clinic with times on a weekend. I made an appointment at CVS for 11/14. I know that we will be getting the shot in the week or two at one of those places.

I understand that others want shots more quickly, and may have to drive out to VA or something to get it. I think people just have to understand that every individual's needs are not going to be satisfied in every way by the government. However, the government in this case seems to be rolling out the vaccines to the extent they are able, and they will be satisfying the majority of people that want the shot in the next month.

This. Omg, people on this thread are blindly narcissistic privileged jerks

Oh sure, we are "blindly narcissistic jerks" because we want our kids to be protected from Covid as soon as possible. Expecting some form of urgency and organization for the administration of a life saving vaccine is not unreasonable.

Having the vaccine on hand on the day it gets approved seems to reflect urgency. Children's calling at-risk kids' families seems to express urgency. There are many places you can get the vaccine, reflecting organization. It's just not exactly what you want. It is the government, not a concierge medical service.

No one needs a concierge. My point is that this has been known and expected for at least a year. The current roll out does not reflect the amount of time they have had to prepare for it IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

The city put out a list of locations where the earliest doses would be going that doesn't have any CVS locations: https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-encourage-families-get-children-5-11-years-old-vaccinated-against

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

There are actual things that DC has no control over -- like supply, or actual date of approval. Plus there are actual resource constraints in the form of people who can give the shots, etc. It sounds like people are getting shots pretty quickly, and can make appointments. CVS or Walgreens having difficult appointment systems isn't DC's fault.

I know of three clinics in my neighborhood that are giving the shots next week. My school has a clinic with times on a weekend. I made an appointment at CVS for 11/14. I know that we will be getting the shot in the week or two at one of those places.

I understand that others want shots more quickly, and may have to drive out to VA or something to get it. I think people just have to understand that every individual's needs are not going to be satisfied in every way by the government. However, the government in this case seems to be rolling out the vaccines to the extent they are able, and they will be satisfying the majority of people that want the shot in the next month.

This. Omg, people on this thread are blindly narcissistic privileged jerks

Oh sure, we are "blindly narcissistic jerks" because we want our kids to be protected from Covid as soon as possible. Expecting some form of urgency and organization for the administration of a life saving vaccine is not unreasonable.

Having the vaccine on hand on the day it gets approved seems to reflect urgency. Children's calling at-risk kids' families seems to express urgency. There are many places you can get the vaccine, reflecting organization. It's just not exactly what you want. It is the government, not a concierge medical service.

No one needs a concierge. My point is that this has been known and expected for at least a year. The current roll out does not reflect the amount of time they have had to prepare for it IMO.

Providers won't make appointments without having a confirmed supply. How do I know? I was in the school staff group that was prioritized in February and my school is one of the sites for 5-11. DC sites are ready to go BUT the providers administering the shots have to get the actual vaccine in hand. I suppose DC government could have either waited to announce more details or announced tentative times that might have to change. Either of those options would have probably caused even more angst among families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

basically anything other that you getting IMMEDIATELY what you want WHERE you want HOW you want is a shitshow. Yeah?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

basically anything other that you getting IMMEDIATELY what you want WHERE you want HOW you want is a shitshow. Yeah?

Oh please. That is not what I said. What I am frustrated about is the lack of communication as to when, where and how we can access the vaccine. I never said I should be able to get it today. That was incorrectly assumed. Not sure why you are so dead set on defending the DC government. It's not a great roll out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

basically anything other that you getting IMMEDIATELY what you want WHERE you want HOW you want is a shitshow. Yeah?

Oh please. That is not what I said. What I am frustrated about is the lack of communication as to when, where and how we can access the vaccine. I never said I should be able to get it today. That was incorrectly assumed. Not sure why you are so dead set on defending the DC government. It's not a great roll out.

They announced a list of locations and dates last Friday (20+ locations with more to come). Today they announced two pop-ups for Friday. No appointment needed. That seems pretty quick to me, but YMMV.

[Anonymous]

By the way, there was a post on another thread from a pediatrician about why there might be delays in getting the vaccine. Try to show some patience and grace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

basically anything other that you getting IMMEDIATELY what you want WHERE you want HOW you want is a shitshow. Yeah?

Oh please. That is not what I said. What I am frustrated about is the lack of communication as to when, where and how we can access the vaccine. I never said I should be able to get it today. That was incorrectly assumed. Not sure why you are so dead set on defending the DC government. It's not a great roll out.

you have plenty of information. just not the result you wanted which is apparently the vaccine the same day it was approved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

It also doesn't say, do we wait in line at these clinics? Why no appointments? Just show up and hope for the best? Great plan. My guess is the first few will be inundated and you won't get your shot after waiting an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

basically anything other that you getting IMMEDIATELY what you want WHERE you want HOW you want is a shitshow. Yeah?

Oh please. That is not what I said. What I am frustrated about is the lack of communication as to when, where and how we can access the vaccine. I never said I should be able to get it today. That was incorrectly assumed. Not sure why you are so dead set on defending the DC government. It's not a great roll out.

They announced a list of locations and dates last Friday (20+ locations with more to come). Today they announced two pop-ups for Friday. No appointment needed. That seems pretty quick to me, but YMMV.

I hadn't heard about the Friday pop-ups, but that works perfectly for my family. So thanks, PP!

Here's the info:
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/dc-health-host-pop-vaccine-clinics-children-5-11-years-old-friday-november-5

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LMGTFY....
https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-plans-children-5-11-years-old

How is this helpful? "Where will they be held" wasn't the OP's question - it was "can non-students access those vaccines?"

This rollout has been a sh*tshow. They've had MONTHS to plan this out, and this is what we get?

I'm glad that I was luckily able to get an appointment through CVS, but I just happened to be up at 4am. There's no information about who will be eligible, there's no pre-registration or centralization of information. I realize that a lot of this is emerging, but the city should have made an effort to centralize more of this -- because once again, this is going to come down to who has the privilege to sit on a computer and chase appointments.

This doesn't seem to be a sh*tshow. You said yourself you already have an appointment. Like, a day after the vaccine was approved.

You have ridiculous standards.

NP - I agree it is a terrible rollout. I tried to get CVS,etc appts and there are none available. The DCPS rollout is a joke - there are no times on the website or info as to when and how you can go if you don't go to school at the listed clinic. Our pediatrician isn't offering the vax for whatever reason. They had months and months to get this organized. And now finally after it's approved, we still have to wait several weeks?!?!?! The holidays are coming up and these kids need to be fully vaxxed and most won't be through the two doses plus two weeks by winter break. It's shameful.

It also doesn't say, do we wait in line at these clinics? Why no appointments? Just show up and hope for the best? Great plan. My guess is the first few will be inundated and you won't get your shot after waiting an hour.

Huh? They are trying to make the vaccine available to as many people as possible as quickly as possible, WHICH IS WHAT YOU CLAIM TO WANT. Show up at 3:30 on Friday in SE DC and I guarantee you will get a shot. Otherwise you can fiddle with CVS and try to get an appointment.

Choices, people. Go to a mass vaccine event or ride the computer. You can have it both ways.