Equity in vaccine distribution

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s ridiculous and a travesty.

Looks like Maine and Oklahama are now overtaking us percentage -wise. Nothing to brag about for a miniscule city with insanely good infrastructure available at its fingertips.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/covid-vaccine-states-distribution-doses/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the way to address it in DC isn't with quotas or other means that complicate and slow down vaccination, but by ensuring that there are plenty of vaccination sites in predominantly AA neighborhoods, and ensuring that people in those neighborhoods have the means to make appointments, and any assistance necessary. But prioritize the vaccine based on age/essential workers, not on race per se.

During the beginning of the roll out, many of the centers were in predominately black areas, but the residents couldn't get appointments b/c they were all taken by Ward 3 folks. I do think they need to prioritize zip codes... or have the site cater to that particular ward.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:DC is trying to get the vaccine more equitably distributed across the city. If you don't like that approach, feel free to take it up with your councilmember.

I am seriously disappointed in my fellow DC residents who are throwing out disinformation and seem to show such a callous disregard for the less fortunate, but will take comfort in the fact that my real-life neighbors over here in Ward 5 are working hard to care for our seniors and most vulnerable.

To all DC residents: don't forget that new appointments will be available to ALL those who are eligible tomorrow at 9 am.

As far as I can see, Ward 8 vaccines are getting gobbled up by other Wards during the "set aside". Should there be sign up kiosks and a special clinic (like for DCPS teachers) for Ward 8?

Like gobbled up by Ward 5'ers for example. Very little vaccine at all is getting into arms in Ward 8.

Not sure why you're picking out Ward 5, but okay. Here's the data (again) on the percent of each Ward's seniors that have gotten a shot. Second visualization:

Ward 3: 33%
Ward 2: 28%
Ward 1: 28%
Ward 4: 27%
Ward 6: 21%
Ward 5: 15%
Ward 7: 13%
Ward 8: 11%

First off, DC, like everywhere is doing a horrible job collecting data. They will be the first to admit any conclusions about race or anything else is full of holes. Second, Ward 5 has had more vaccines than Ward 8 from what has been counted (maybe the next special allocation should go to only Ward 8?) . Last, what is clear is DC is doing a bangup job vaccinating Non-Residents. About half so far.

https://coronavirus.dc.gov/data/vaccination

Yes, the non-residents is due to the large number of healthcare workers who work at the eight (?) DC hospitals as well as probably some teachers.
DC did get 8,000 vaccines from MD and VA for a total of 16,000 to try to offset it.

I would be fine with a setaside in Ward 8 only. DC could give out all 3600 shots next week to Ward 8 only and they STILL wouldn't have as many seniors vaccinated as Ward 3.

Whomever it is, that is vaccine that DC was given by the FEDS based on population going to out of staters. After these set-asides and what has been given to hospitals to allocate to recent patients on their lists with insurance, spots DC residents from any Ward are trying to get throigh the web/phone hotlines are literally crumbs. What is DC releasing this way weekly? Around 2,000? It's laughable to even worry about who is getting what, since few residents are getting anything this way.

About a third of DC's weekly allocation goes through the portal/phone line. Another third goes to hospitals and clinics, the last third for targeted groups (currently includes FEMS, MPD, DOC and teachers)

Yes, crumbs since everyone in the other two lists who is a resident is ALSO calling the phone line/website. Wouldnt you see which one came up first? Terrible , not transparent system DC has devised - going back to a PPs original point about the simplicity and success of W Va.

What are you even talking about? Only residents over 65 and independent licensed health care providers (of which there are very few who are still not vaccinated) can use the website. Teachers can't use the portal; they book their appointments through Childrens or One Medical, who have been distributing those vaccines.

Just because you don't seem to understand the basics doesn't mean it's a terrible system.

Please read carefully. I said all eligible residents are calling the hotline /trawling the website for 30% 9f vaccinations allocated that way. Even if aome eventually are offered a spot by hospitals, they dont know they will be. Its an inefficient, confusing system. And no to more "essential workers" unless they are also residents, or have proof they work daily in DC in a frontline way. If not, they can get it in Md or Va when their category comes up.. Now that we have done health care + education woekers with lots from the whole DMV courtesy of us, DC residents should come first until there is evidence of true vaccine reciprocty with neighnoring states. Giving half the vaccines we are allocated to non residents first, is not "equity" for DC residents.

I did read carefully. Your gaslighting is so tiresome. You literally said:

Yes, crumbs since everyone in the other two lists who is a resident is ALSO calling the phone line/website. Wouldnt you see which one came up first?

So, everyone who is an eligible teacher and can schedule an appointment with One Medical is also calling the phone line that is limited to residents and over 65? The bucket of vaccines for teachers cannot be accessed by senior citizens, and vice versa. That is literally the point of having separate buckets, to make sure that at least part of every eligible population gets some access every week.

It is true that seniors can register with some of the hospitals/providers and try to get appointments that way, the same way that people in MD are registering with the state and also trying through Holy Cross and Giant. Those vaccines are limited to over 65 and DC residents only.

For frontline workers out of state - shrug. Teachers who teach in DC schools should all be vaccinated by DC. Healthcare workers who work in DC should be vaccinated by their employer. I want the grocery store workers in DC where I shop to be vaccinated because that is where I, DC resident, am going to be in contact with them. I hope that once we get into other essential workers that there will be reciprocity with DC and MD. Both the Mayor and Nesbitt have said there will be but I guess we will see how that plays out over the coming weeks.

Also, I am laughing a little bit that the same person who thought set asides for zip codes was "too much bureaucracy, too slow, just give the shots to anyone who wants them" is now saying we need to segregate out employees by state of residence. The virus isn't going to stop at state borders, so anything that gets shots into the DMV will help all of us. Thank goodness!!!

You don't know you are going to get the call from the hospital, UNTIL you get the call from the hospital. In the meanwhile, you are going to call or go online for the centralized appointments--of which only 30% of shots have been allocated. Of course this will create a crush of people for fewer slots. You can choose to misunderstand my point, but this system is inefficient and frustrating for any DC resident who does want the vaccine. DC is tiny, and DC can do better in how it is administering this "roll out" (crawl out).

You are willfully misunderstanding. DC WANTS to have multiple access points for residents. It's not all about giving the shots to people who want them--it's about trying to get the shots to the people who NEED them. Not everyone who should get a shot is going to call and call and call at 9 am on Friday. That is why they are partnering with unity, kaiser, medstar, etc to help distribute. One of my neighbors was given the vaccine at WHC when she went to the ER for a non-covid emergency. She wasn't trying to get a shot through the website, but was amenable to getting it when offered onsite. So the low-risk people can continue to grab up the appointments on the website as they become available, which I'm all in favor of, but some of these high-risk folks can also get their vaccines through their actual medical providers.

Some hospitals have stated they are not triaging, just going through patient rolls and assigning randomly. So someone who went in for a sore throat is theoretically on their call list. Why not have DC GOV assign spots based on whatever info. they wish to collect? And why no DC GOV annointed sites in Ward 3? THAT is absurd and inequity.

It seems to have not mattered that there were no sites in Ward 3, they still got them all. That's probably b/c of access. It is no secret that the HHI of white people in DC is significantly higher than black people ESPECIALLY in that age group.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:BLACK LIVES DON'T MATTER - amirite, Ward 3?

They matter as much as every one else.

So you would like them to be vaccinated at the same rate as white people?

No preferential treatment. Just the same. You know - equal.

This is 2021

Equal = racist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the way to address it in DC isn't with quotas or other means that complicate and slow down vaccination, but by ensuring that there are plenty of vaccination sites in predominantly AA neighborhoods, and ensuring that people in those neighborhoods have the means to make appointments, and any assistance necessary. But prioritize the vaccine based on age/essential workers, not on race per se.

During the beginning of the roll out, many of the centers were in predominately black areas, but the residents couldn't get appointments b/c they were all taken by Ward 3 folks. I do think they need to prioritize zip codes... or have the site cater to that particular ward.

There are no vaccine sites in Ward 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the way to address it in DC isn't with quotas or other means that complicate and slow down vaccination, but by ensuring that there are plenty of vaccination sites in predominantly AA neighborhoods, and ensuring that people in those neighborhoods have the means to make appointments, and any assistance necessary. But prioritize the vaccine based on age/essential workers, not on race per se.

During the beginning of the roll out, many of the centers were in predominately black areas, but the residents couldn't get appointments b/c they were all taken by Ward 3 folks. I do think they need to prioritize zip codes... or have the site cater to that particular ward.

There are no vaccine sites in Ward 3.

But Ward 3 residents can get and are getting vaccines. Let's be clear.

[Anonymous]

As the national trends are showing - all of these distribution constraints in the name of equity - are causing delays in getting the vaccine in arms quickly.

Let’s stop the zip code and other silly nonsense and get all those 65 and up folks at the Convention Center for a vaccine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the way to address it in DC isn't with quotas or other means that complicate and slow down vaccination, but by ensuring that there are plenty of vaccination sites in predominantly AA neighborhoods, and ensuring that people in those neighborhoods have the means to make appointments, and any assistance necessary. But prioritize the vaccine based on age/essential workers, not on race per se.

During the beginning of the roll out, many of the centers were in predominately black areas, but the residents couldn't get appointments b/c they were all taken by Ward 3 folks. I do think they need to prioritize zip codes... or have the site cater to that particular ward.

There are no vaccine sites in Ward 3.

Not true. You can get the vaccine at the Chevy Chase Safeway.

[Anonymous]

Who designed this vaccination process? They should be fired. This is the most absurd, time-consuming roll-out. Why is there not a centralized pre-registration website that is able to allot appointments in preferred locations as they pop-up and notify registrants via phone and email?
Instead, I'm finding myself online every god damn week with my 70 year old mother trying to get an appointment. Why do we need to do this over and over again?
I really don't understand the logic of this system and why no one in the the DOH was smart enough to come up with a more efficient system.

[Anonymous]

It's true that plenty of Ward 3 residents can't easily travel somewhere for a vaccine, but it's also true that (a) plenty can and (b) there are vaccine sites in or near Ward 3 now, like Sibley, MedStar's Ward 2 site, the Safeway on Connecticut, etc.

My parents live in Ward 1 and had to go to Ward 4 for their vaccines. It wasn't the end of the world. It should be easier for people to get appointments, yes, and for anyone who can't easily go somewhere farther from their house to get a shot, there should be some accommodation. But by and large, I don't have a problem with saying that if you can make it to an appointment clear across the city, you should go ahead and book that appointment and just get the shot taken care of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true that plenty of Ward 3 residents can't easily travel somewhere for a vaccine, but it's also true that (a) plenty can and (b) there are vaccine sites in or near Ward 3 now, like Sibley, MedStar's Ward 2 site, the Safeway on Connecticut, etc.

My parents live in Ward 1 and had to go to Ward 4 for their vaccines. It wasn't the end of the world. It should be easier for people to get appointments, yes, and for anyone who can't easily go somewhere farther from their house to get a shot, there should be some accommodation. But by and large, I don't have a problem with saying that if you can make it to an appointment clear across the city, you should go ahead and book that appointment and just get the shot taken care of.

what a joke. sibley and medstar are not sign up sites (they call you, from anywhere in the city, IF you are lucky), and safeway had like 2 appointments. I think it is actually unsafe and evil to make old people, many without cars or who can't drive, trek across town in winter via Uber or bus (while trying to NOt catch Covid) to neighborhoods they don't know to stand around in the cold and then find a ride home. I would say the SAME about forcing that on Ward 8 elderly. This is a free vaccine with some kind of commuter penalty/tax attached for only Ward 3-ers. Gross that you can be OK with that. I'd prefer just don't open it to Ward 3 until DC has vaccinated who they want to vaccinate to their hearts' content. and then give it to the Ward 3 old folks in a way that is actually respectful of our elders regardless of skin color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true that plenty of Ward 3 residents can't easily travel somewhere for a vaccine, but it's also true that (a) plenty can and (b) there are vaccine sites in or near Ward 3 now, like Sibley, MedStar's Ward 2 site, the Safeway on Connecticut, etc.

My parents live in Ward 1 and had to go to Ward 4 for their vaccines. It wasn't the end of the world. It should be easier for people to get appointments, yes, and for anyone who can't easily go somewhere farther from their house to get a shot, there should be some accommodation. But by and large, I don't have a problem with saying that if you can make it to an appointment clear across the city, you should go ahead and book that appointment and just get the shot taken care of.

You are literally building in discrimination against people without cars or close family support. Ew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true that plenty of Ward 3 residents can't easily travel somewhere for a vaccine, but it's also true that (a) plenty can and (b) there are vaccine sites in or near Ward 3 now, like Sibley, MedStar's Ward 2 site, the Safeway on Connecticut, etc.

My parents live in Ward 1 and had to go to Ward 4 for their vaccines. It wasn't the end of the world. It should be easier for people to get appointments, yes, and for anyone who can't easily go somewhere farther from their house to get a shot, there should be some accommodation. But by and large, I don't have a problem with saying that if you can make it to an appointment clear across the city, you should go ahead and book that appointment and just get the shot taken care of.

what a joke. sibley and medstar are not sign up sites (they call you, from anywhere in the city, IF you are lucky), and safeway had like 2 appointments. I think it is actually unsafe and evil to make old people, many without cars or who can't drive, trek across town in winter via Uber or bus (while trying to NOt catch Covid) to neighborhoods they don't know to stand around in the cold and then find a ride home. I would say the SAME about forcing that on Ward 8 elderly. This is a free vaccine with some kind of commuter penalty/tax attached for only Ward 3-ers. Gross that you can be OK with that. I'd prefer just don't open it to Ward 3 until DC has vaccinated who they want to vaccinate to their hearts' content. and then give it to the Ward 3 old folks in a way that is actually respectful of our elders regardless of skin color.

All of this. It makes me sick to think of so many elderly people all over the city having so much trouble getting a vaccine. So ageist and unfeeling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true that plenty of Ward 3 residents can't easily travel somewhere for a vaccine, but it's also true that (a) plenty can and (b) there are vaccine sites in or near Ward 3 now, like Sibley, MedStar's Ward 2 site, the Safeway on Connecticut, etc.

My parents live in Ward 1 and had to go to Ward 4 for their vaccines. It wasn't the end of the world. It should be easier for people to get appointments, yes, and for anyone who can't easily go somewhere farther from their house to get a shot, there should be some accommodation. But by and large, I don't have a problem with saying that if you can make it to an appointment clear across the city, you should go ahead and book that appointment and just get the shot taken care of.

what a joke. sibley and medstar are not sign up sites (they call you, from anywhere in the city, IF you are lucky), and safeway had like 2 appointments. I think it is actually unsafe and evil to make old people, many without cars or who can't drive, trek across town in winter via Uber or bus (while trying to NOt catch Covid) to neighborhoods they don't know to stand around in the cold and then find a ride home. I would say the SAME about forcing that on Ward 8 elderly. This is a free vaccine with some kind of commuter penalty/tax attached for only Ward 3-ers. Gross that you can be OK with that. I'd prefer just don't open it to Ward 3 until DC has vaccinated who they want to vaccinate to their hearts' content. and then give it to the Ward 3 old folks in a way that is actually respectful of our elders regardless of skin color.

LOL, and yet, Ward 3 has been incredibly successful, in fact the MOST successful, at scoring appointments and vaccines. So apparently they are doing just fine by every measure, and it's hardly gross to focus outreach and logistical support on other seniors who haven't been as well served.

PS - Your MOCRS liaison can help with making appointments and arranging transportation, regardless of Ward.

[Anonymous]

All this time and energy on anti-Ward 3 comments.

Again - treat everyone the SAME. Based on age - something we call all get on board with.

Bowser should have started older with the age and worked younger.

But she is after division and VOTES!