Vent about DC vaccine registration snafus

[Anonymous]

Now that a huge block of everyday residents city-wide, all ages with at risk conditions or family members at risk are experiencing how much vaccine is being withheld (1/2) from residents by the city rulers, presumably there will be an outcry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok. This is a debacle.

The 3500 appointments for tomorrow need to be made available to the entire city.

Thursdays appointments went to priority zip codes. Todays were available to ALL.

Tomorrows need to be available for all.

How does that help? It's not like the priority appointments are going unclaimed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's the second day. I personally give them the benefit of the doubt. The REAL issue is that the basically opened up registration to 50% of DC rather than focusing on the people who are actually high-risk. Now 20-something WFHs with "asthma" are breaking the website while high risk 60 year olds go unvaccinate. Stupid.

Yeah, my mother turns 65 next month (AND has two of the high risk conditions) but now we probably won't even be able to get her an appointment once she turns 65 since it's opened up to the whole city now. Who here doesn't have asthma?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's the second day. I personally give them the benefit of the doubt. The REAL issue is that the basically opened up registration to 50% of DC rather than focusing on the people who are actually high-risk. Now 20-something WFHs with "asthma" are breaking the website while high risk 60 year olds go unvaccinate. Stupid.

Yeah, my mother turns 65 next month (AND has two of the high risk conditions) but now we probably won't even be able to get her an appointment once she turns 65 since it's opened up to the whole city now. Who here doesn't have asthma?

Vaccine was allocated for DCs population, a small city of about 500,000 residents (Im subtracting children). With the doses we have been allotted and our small size we could be well on our way to vaccinating those who live here To date, DC has taken one half of the vaccine and given it to non residents. This is not about 20 year olds with asthma, its about taking vaccine from your. Mom and giving it to someone in Md or VA - who by the way, could get vaccinated there. However, YOUR MOM cant.. Do the math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Snafu is my self-censored term for what I really want to say.

The first time I used the system was to register my elderly mother. The website crashed for an hour and a half.

Today I tried to register myself (preexisting condition, in priority zip code). Someone didn't update the hard edit on the website which prevented people under 65 from registering, even though we are eligible.

This whole thing is stressful enough without IT failures. Who is in charge of this and can someone in the area please help them! Seriously I know BS in computer science grads who could do a better job here.

SNAFU is self-censoring as much as FUBAR is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had 3 laptops, 3 smart phone browsers, and I was on hold on the phone with the vaccine hotline this AM.

The laptops and smart phone browsers kept crashing out at various stages in the process: the landing page, the CAPTCHA, the name/DOB page. Finally made it to the map where you can see the sites. Tried 5 different sites and none had appointments.

Finally found a time slot at Lamond Riggs, but after I hit "confirm" the page told me the slot was already taken.

Ended up getting a time slot on the phone with a very nice DC government employee. Told her "Any location, any time - we will make it work" and she got my wife a spot at our nearby Giant Foods next weekend.

I was on hold for about 25 minutes. Was on the phone with this nice woman for about 10 minutes: 5 minutes to tell her my wife's info and she needed 5 minutes to find an available time slot and confirm it for me.

I think they hold some slots back from the web portal, so keep trying the phone.

If you were looking for spots for fewer than 6 people, you are contributing to the problem. Having 6 browers open will not help your cause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had 3 laptops, 3 smart phone browsers, and I was on hold on the phone with the vaccine hotline this AM.

The laptops and smart phone browsers kept crashing out at various stages in the process: the landing page, the CAPTCHA, the name/DOB page. Finally made it to the map where you can see the sites. Tried 5 different sites and none had appointments.

Finally found a time slot at Lamond Riggs, but after I hit "confirm" the page told me the slot was already taken.

Ended up getting a time slot on the phone with a very nice DC government employee. Told her "Any location, any time - we will make it work" and she got my wife a spot at our nearby Giant Foods next weekend.

I was on hold for about 25 minutes. Was on the phone with this nice woman for about 10 minutes: 5 minutes to tell her my wife's info and she needed 5 minutes to find an available time slot and confirm it for me.

I think they hold some slots back from the web portal, so keep trying the phone.

If you were looking for spots for fewer than 6 people, you are contributing to the problem. Having 6 browers open will not help your cause.

But a completely predictable situation that the city should have anticipated. Remember they have been planning This since May 2020.

[Anonymous]

As with DPR, I don't understand why the system is set as a race to see you can get through first. Would it be that difficult to have a snap lottery at the end of every day after letting people, during the day, register at their leisure. If your name is picked, you get a phone call/email and have a day to confirm; with a walkup or callin option to learn the results.

[Anonymous]

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/01/28/960901166/how-is-the-covid-19-vaccination-campaign-going-in-your-state

Alaska has now given 2 doses to 12% of residents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had 3 laptops, 3 smart phone browsers, and I was on hold on the phone with the vaccine hotline this AM.

The laptops and smart phone browsers kept crashing out at various stages in the process: the landing page, the CAPTCHA, the name/DOB page. Finally made it to the map where you can see the sites. Tried 5 different sites and none had appointments.

Finally found a time slot at Lamond Riggs, but after I hit "confirm" the page told me the slot was already taken.

Ended up getting a time slot on the phone with a very nice DC government employee. Told her "Any location, any time - we will make it work" and she got my wife a spot at our nearby Giant Foods next weekend.

I was on hold for about 25 minutes. Was on the phone with this nice woman for about 10 minutes: 5 minutes to tell her my wife's info and she needed 5 minutes to find an available time slot and confirm it for me.

I think they hold some slots back from the web portal, so keep trying the phone.

If you were looking for spots for fewer than 6 people, you are contributing to the problem. Having 6 browers open will not help your cause.

But a completely predictable situation that the city should have anticipated. Remember they have been planning This since May 2020.

Completely agree that it was completely predictable; as I said in another post, I dont understand why government's are not doing a daily, snap lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had 3 laptops, 3 smart phone browsers, and I was on hold on the phone with the vaccine hotline this AM.

The laptops and smart phone browsers kept crashing out at various stages in the process: the landing page, the CAPTCHA, the name/DOB page. Finally made it to the map where you can see the sites. Tried 5 different sites and none had appointments.

Finally found a time slot at Lamond Riggs, but after I hit "confirm" the page told me the slot was already taken.

Ended up getting a time slot on the phone with a very nice DC government employee. Told her "Any location, any time - we will make it work" and she got my wife a spot at our nearby Giant Foods next weekend.

I was on hold for about 25 minutes. Was on the phone with this nice woman for about 10 minutes: 5 minutes to tell her my wife's info and she needed 5 minutes to find an available time slot and confirm it for me.

I think they hold some slots back from the web portal, so keep trying the phone.

If you were looking for spots for fewer than 6 people, you are contributing to the problem. Having 6 browers open will not help your cause.

Are you kidding? I have been through this process twice (once for me, once for a relative) and it was only possible from having three devices going with many tabs. Only 1 out of 8 tabs would work through to the final page and we had no way of knowing which tab would be the lucky one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had 3 laptops, 3 smart phone browsers, and I was on hold on the phone with the vaccine hotline this AM.

The laptops and smart phone browsers kept crashing out at various stages in the process: the landing page, the CAPTCHA, the name/DOB page. Finally made it to the map where you can see the sites. Tried 5 different sites and none had appointments.

Finally found a time slot at Lamond Riggs, but after I hit "confirm" the page told me the slot was already taken.

Ended up getting a time slot on the phone with a very nice DC government employee. Told her "Any location, any time - we will make it work" and she got my wife a spot at our nearby Giant Foods next weekend.

I was on hold for about 25 minutes. Was on the phone with this nice woman for about 10 minutes: 5 minutes to tell her my wife's info and she needed 5 minutes to find an available time slot and confirm it for me.

I think they hold some slots back from the web portal, so keep trying the phone.

If you were looking for spots for fewer than 6 people, you are contributing to the problem. Having 6 browers open will not help your cause.

Are you kidding? I have been through this process twice (once for me, once for a relative) and it was only possible from having three devices going with many tabs. Only 1 out of 8 tabs would work through to the final page and we had no way of knowing which tab would be the lucky one.

OP here: this is exactly was our situation too. The current system incentivizes you to do this, as only 1 out of 6 browsers ended up making it to the final confirmation page - and even then, it said the time slot we picked was already taken. The other 5 browsers had multiple crashes.

Amazingly, we got through on the phone. Got into the call queue right at 9am and then waited on hold for 25 minutes for someone to answer. The person on the line was knowledgeable, competent, and fast.

So yeah, the low tech calls are somehow more reliable. The current online system does not create the right incentives. The should just do a daily lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's the second day. I personally give them the benefit of the doubt. The REAL issue is that the basically opened up registration to 50% of DC rather than focusing on the people who are actually high-risk. Now 20-something WFHs with "asthma" are breaking the website while high risk 60 year olds go unvaccinate. Stupid.

Yeah, my mother turns 65 next month (AND has two of the high risk conditions) but now we probably won't even be able to get her an appointment once she turns 65 since it's opened up to the whole city now. Who here doesn't have asthma?

Vaccine was allocated for DCs population, a small city of about 500,000 residents (Im subtracting children). With the doses we have been allotted and our small size we could be well on our way to vaccinating those who live here To date, DC has taken one half of the vaccine and given it to non residents. This is not about 20 year olds with asthma, its about taking vaccine from your. Mom and giving it to someone in Md or VA - who by the way, could get vaccinated there. However, YOUR MOM cant.. Do the math.

I absolutely agree with this. They have two options. We have 1/2 an option and if you don't live in a priority zip code, 1/4 of an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's the second day. I personally give them the benefit of the doubt. The REAL issue is that the basically opened up registration to 50% of DC rather than focusing on the people who are actually high-risk. Now 20-something WFHs with "asthma" are breaking the website while high risk 60 year olds go unvaccinate. Stupid.

Yeah, my mother turns 65 next month (AND has two of the high risk conditions) but now we probably won't even be able to get her an appointment once she turns 65 since it's opened up to the whole city now. Who here doesn't have asthma?

Vaccine was allocated for DCs population, a small city of about 500,000 residents (Im subtracting children). With the doses we have been allotted and our small size we could be well on our way to vaccinating those who live here To date, DC has taken one half of the vaccine and given it to non residents. This is not about 20 year olds with asthma, its about taking vaccine from your. Mom and giving it to someone in Md or VA - who by the way, could get vaccinated there. However, YOUR MOM cant.. Do the math.

I absolutely agree with this. They have two options. We have 1/2 an option and if you don't live in a priority zip code, 1/4 of an option.

Yep, it's basic fractions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As with DPR, I don't understand why the system is set as a race to see you can get through first. Would it be that difficult to have a snap lottery at the end of every day after letting people, during the day, register at their leisure. If your name is picked, you get a phone call/email and have a day to confirm; with a walkup or callin option to learn the results.

There are several ways this could be handled more easily and equitably without causing stress and high blood pressure. Your way sounds great! It's like the Mayor wanted to come up with the way that would create the most angst and set up the most hurdles. Why?!

Why does someone have to fill out the multi-page questionnaire every time they want to try and sign up?! Why not preregister and save your responses so every time you try and claim an appointment you don't have to start over? And the Captcha didn't work. And this morning, I DID actually get to the page where I could select a location. Why the hell didn't it just serve up the place with available appointments?! Instead I had to pick from a list of like 30, having zero idea which locations were provided shots to administer. It was such a crap shoot. So I picked one and of course was told "no available appointments" but trying to go back and pick another location just booted me out of the process entirely. How does DC screw things up like this so, so, so, so badly...every.single.time.?