Jerk employee at clinic and a warning for others seeking 2nd dose

[Anonymous]

Took my child for her second dose of vaccine today. The guy in the line asked, "First or second dose" and when I said second, he wanted me to produce the card that they gave us with the first dose. I didn't bring it with me. He said well then you can't get the vax. we need proof that it's been the required 28 days. We were first in line, I had gotten up extra early, sat there waiting, and this guy tells me he won't let her get the shot. The same problem came up with others in line behind me. No one ever had told them that the little cards would be REQUIRED to get a second dose.

Finally he relented and offered to check their computer (why didn't he offer that in the first place) and when he confirmed my child had the first dose more than 28 days ago, he said fine she can get the vax.

Meanwhile I had called my husband who was on the way in the storm with the baby in tow to bring the little yellow card. ugh.

So, a warning. Bring your little papers and cards (I did this for the baby but forgot today), make sure you are outside of the 28 day window, and if you don't have your paperwork you may want to decide whether to answer him directly on the first or second dose question.

This was in Manassas but I imagine could happen anywhere.....

[Anonymous]

How was he a jerk? Sounds like he was doing what he was supposed to.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP - it sounds like he was doing his job - if he'd let you get the 2nd dose and it hadn't been 28 days there could have been administrative and/or medical complications as a result. It is fortunate for you that they had the information in the computer, but imagine what a hassle/time consuming effort it would be if everyone forgot their cards and had to be looked up on the computer. But thank you for posting this reminder to other parents so that the same thing does not happen to them.

[Anonymous]

It does say online that you MUST bring the proof.

[Anonymous]

OP, people always want to point out when you are wrong (especially on this forum). I would wager that these same people would sympathize with you if they saw you in line this morning. Indeed, if they piped up, "It does say ONLINE to bring it. This fellow is just doing his job", I would imagine the others in the line would think they were crimpy old biddies.

You were supposed to bring the card, but it would be nice to face someone who knows what cost it will incur to make you go back and get it. It would be nice to face someone who thinks, "What can I do to help this woman, if I can?"

I am glad it all worked out.

[Anonymous]

If you forget the card, could you just lie and say it was your child's first dose??

[Anonymous]

I had the same prob in dc today, but they just asked me when my son had gotten his 1st shot. They made me put the date of the 1st shot on the form they keep, and sign next to it, but that's it. Sorry they put you through all that hassle, OP. While technically 'right,' I guess, I don't know y the guy hassled you so much when there was a perfectly good 'work around,' and 1, I might add, that the dc folks didn't even bother with.

[Anonymous]

I thought to myself as I read along, "darn, what a bummer for this mom. that's too bad." I am glad on this slushy day that it worked out.

But. Why exactly is the DOH employee (?) a 'jerk' for doing his job? Are all gov't employees who follow the letter of the law (reg) 'jerks,' while all the gov't employees who bend the rules for you 'really cool BFFs' ?

I mean, listen to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought to myself as I read along, "darn, what a bummer for this mom. that's too bad." I am glad on this slushy day that it worked out.

But. Why exactly is the DOH employee (?) a 'jerk' for doing his job? Are all gov't employees who follow the letter of the law (reg) 'jerks,' while all the gov't employees who bend the rules for you 'really cool BFFs' ?

I mean, listen to yourself.

You guys are funny. Do you really think this guy was doing his job well? Do you think not providing the computer solution was a good judgment call from him? Is that a good use of our tax dollars, to have civil servants who can't think creatively enough to see the big picture? That it is better to see the child receive the second vaccination than it is to simply follow a script?

The problem is he had a perfectly good solution (look up the information) which he didn't make available until the end. I would say, yes, he's a jerk. And I would say all you people who are analyzing this OP's words with such a critical eye are a little anal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought to myself as I read along, "darn, what a bummer for this mom. that's too bad." I am glad on this slushy day that it worked out.

But. Why exactly is the DOH employee (?) a 'jerk' for doing his job? Are all gov't employees who follow the letter of the law (reg) 'jerks,' while all the gov't employees who bend the rules for you 'really cool BFFs' ?

I mean, listen to yourself.

You guys are funny. Do you really think this guy was doing his job well? Do you think not providing the computer solution was a good judgment call from him? Is that a good use of our tax dollars, to have civil servants who can't think creatively enough to see the big picture? That it is better to see the child receive the second vaccination than it is to simply follow a script?

The problem is he had a perfectly good solution (look up the information) which he didn't make available until the end. I would say, yes, he's a jerk. And I would say all you people who are analyzing this OP's words with such a critical eye are a little anal.

My physician's office said the same thing. He was doing his job, and it's a medical decision, so he doesn't get to decide what he can/cannot give unless he's a doctor.

As for the computer solution, he probably didn't realize off the bat that the child had been vaccinated at the same clinic. That's why they are asking for you to bring the paperwork, because people are coming from all over. The instructions are online, and even if you didn't see them, you would know that you should bring in the card just by looking at it.

I don't like when things don't go my way. But when I don't follow the instructions, it's my problem, not theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought to myself as I read along, "darn, what a bummer for this mom. that's too bad." I am glad on this slushy day that it worked out.

But. Why exactly is the DOH employee (?) a 'jerk' for doing his job? Are all gov't employees who follow the letter of the law (reg) 'jerks,' while all the gov't employees who bend the rules for you 'really cool BFFs' ?

I mean, listen to yourself.

You guys are funny. Do you really think this guy was doing his job well? Do you think not providing the computer solution was a good judgment call from him? Is that a good use of our tax dollars, to have civil servants who can't think creatively enough to see the big picture? That it is better to see the child receive the second vaccination than it is to simply follow a script?

The problem is he had a perfectly good solution (look up the information) which he didn't make available until the end. I would say, yes, he's a jerk. And I would say all you people who are analyzing this OP's words with such a critical eye are a little anal.

My physician's office said the same thing. He was doing his job, and it's a medical decision, so he doesn't get to decide what he can/cannot give unless he's a doctor.

As for the computer solution, he probably didn't realize off the bat that the child had been vaccinated at the same clinic. That's why they are asking for you to bring the paperwork, because people are coming from all over. The instructions are online, and even if you didn't see them, you would know that you should bring in the card just by looking at it.

I don't like when things don't go my way. But when I don't follow the instructions, it's my problem, not theirs.

You are exactly right. OP was the one that messed up. It's not a big deal that she didn't bring it, we've all been there, but that doesn't make the guy a jerk for letting her know she was supposed to. I don't get angry when I call companies and they ask me for my account number (which I rarely have) I simply ask if there's any other way to look up the information. OP should've done that instead of getting pissed and treating the guy like HE did something wrong.

[Anonymous]

OP Here. He DID know my child got the shot there. He basically old us we were screwed and to go home. Then for some reason he relented and looked us up in the computer and the date was in there, just like I said.

The jerk part was in the attitude. No, "Sorry, but...". No sympathy. No niceness. Just, "Sucks to be you and that's the way it is" My 6 yo started to cry. I don't know why he changed his mind.

Ah dcum. Thanks for the support as I try to warn others not to make my admitted mistake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here. He DID know my child got the shot there. He basically old us we were screwed and to go home. Then for some reason he relented and looked us up in the computer and the date was in there, just like I said.

The jerk part was in the attitude. No, "Sorry, but...". No sympathy. No niceness. Just, "Sucks to be you and that's the way it is" My 6 yo started to cry. I don't know why he changed his mind.

Ah dcum. Thanks for the support as I try to warn others not to make my admitted mistake.

I think you would have received more support if you left out the rant about the jerk. It dilutes the value of your message by making it look like you really wanted to vent.

[Anonymous]

Of course I wanted to vent.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the vent was justified.

Question - did your child get the mist and that is why it had to be 28 days? I thought it was 21 days minimum for a second does of the shot.