We got our shots at the Ft Stanton pop up yesterday. Lots of people but not insane. It was a little slow because (I heard) the medical staff were really late. But there was a playground for the kids, and atmosphere was congenial. We lined up at 3 and we’re close to the start so not crazy camping out. I think the pop ups will be a good option for folks. Yesterday’s were the first on a day off for DCPS so should get less and less crowded.

Today’s Takoma pop up was a mess. Line was wrapped around from the entrance on Van Buren to the parking lot where the emissions self-test kiosk is located. It appeared that some families camped out with folding chairs waiting for the event to start. While in line, there was zero communication from DC Health and only hearsay/word of mouth info from parents who knew someone near the front of the line. The 300 doses were gone within 1.5 hours, which we only leaned when parents further up in the line started to disperse.

My kid attends school at an upcoming pop up site, but since they are first come, first served, I’m expecting more of the same. The people who will get their kids vaccinated will be the elbow-jabbing, me-first types who coordinate early dismissal or have someone else pick up their kid at 3pm and deliver them to the spot where they’ve been camping out since 2pm. Those of us with rigid schedules and no extra help won’t be able to compete with that.

The mass vax site at the former Tysons Lord & Taylor had tons of appointments the other day. Booking was easy and the process seemed organized. VA’s health department doesn’t check proof of residency, either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Anecdotally, a majority of my family and close friends with small kids who live outside of DC (west coast & south) have made appointments with no hassle. So not sure what the deal is with DC. I feel like we saw this with the adult vaccine roll out. Other parts of the country were much more efficient at actually getting it done.

+1

Co-workers in VA got their kids shots scheduled today and tomorrow without any issues. I tried looking for appointments in DC online but could only find locations and availability in VA and MD. It seems like if other parts of the DMV in MD and VA can make the vaccine easily available for their residents, DC should be able to do the same.

Anonymous wrote:How do you register for the DC dates?

Just show up. No appointment. No ID. Fill out a DC form. Doesn’t have to be a student at the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t pediatricians going to have it? I figured I’d just call our ped in the next few weeks and make an appointment. No way am I standing in line for hours at some pop up clinic or wasting my time refreshing the CVS website to get my kids a vaccine that isn’t really an emergency need.

Our pediatrician is scheduling by invitation only and focusing first on high-risk kids. They've sent out multiple emails encouraging parents to go to a pharmacy or clinic for the vaccinations because they weren't sure how many doses they would receive at first and high-risk kids will have priority.

Our pediatrician is in Maryland in the Moderna trial and not receiving vaccine at this time. Recommending elsewhere ASAP.

Anonymous wrote:FWIW I learned early in the vaccine rollout. CVS drops their appointments at 6am. Check then. Walgreens drops at midnight/7am typically. Also try multiple zip codes. A wee bit of patience and your kid will be vaccinated before you know it.

This. +100. Try PG County zip codes for CVS, Walgreens. If you are willing to drive a bit (Hyattsville, Waldorf, even Cheverly), you can get an appointment.
Try a few times and you'll get an appointment within the next two weeks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Anecdotally, a majority of my family and close friends with small kids who live outside of DC (west coast & south) have made appointments with no hassle. So not sure what the deal is with DC. I feel like we saw this with the adult vaccine roll out. Other parts of the country were much more efficient at actually getting it done.

The deal with D.C. is, we have a much higher share of parents who want to get their kids the vaccine as early as possible than most other parts of the country. Only 30 percent of parents nationwide are interested in shots for kids immediately. I bet that figure is WAY higher here, though.

There was never a line longer than 10 mins when I (or my dozen friends) took our 12 year olds to get vaxxed at a DC pop up. I don’t expect it to be any worse for 5 year olds. In fact, most parents of 5 year olds I know would I rather wait a few months for more data compared to 12+ year olds. I say we should all calm down and see what the weekend/next week brings us before anyone freaks out. As for me, I plan to get to Takoma site Friday mid morning to see how things look.

Takoma and Ft Stanton open at 330 on Friday.

You are correct. Sorry I was assuming because no school they would be all day, but teachers are still in schools

DC has updated info (including hours) for their various walk-up clinics, through 11/20. (Generally, weekdays 3:30-7:30 and weekends 10:00-3:00.)

https://coronavirus.dc.gov/page/get-vaccinated

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Anecdotally, a majority of my family and close friends with small kids who live outside of DC (west coast & south) have made appointments with no hassle. So not sure what the deal is with DC. I feel like we saw this with the adult vaccine roll out. Other parts of the country were much more efficient at actually getting it done.

The deal with D.C. is, we have a much higher share of parents who want to get their kids the vaccine as early as possible than most other parts of the country. Only 30 percent of parents nationwide are interested in shots for kids immediately. I bet that figure is WAY higher here, though.

There was never a line longer than 10 mins when I (or my dozen friends) took our 12 year olds to get vaxxed at a DC pop up. I don’t expect it to be any worse for 5 year olds. In fact, most parents of 5 year olds I know would I rather wait a few months for more data compared to 12+ year olds. I say we should all calm down and see what the weekend/next week brings us before anyone freaks out. As for me, I plan to get to Takoma site Friday mid morning to see how things look.

Takoma and Ft Stanton open at 330 on Friday.

FWIW I learned early in the vaccine rollout. CVS drops their appointments at 6am. Check then. Walgreens drops at midnight/7am typically. Also try multiple zip codes. A wee bit of patience and your kid will be vaccinated before you know it.

Anonymous wrote:Are the pop-up clinics walk-in, without appointment?

Yes

Anonymous wrote:Currently CVS has appointments in Arlington, Clarendon, and Vermont Ave. They schedule 2 weeks out so you may have to wait, but there are appointments available. That’s where we booked ours.

This changes instantly FYI - we keep seeing appt slots appear and then disappear when going to book seconds later

Currently CVS has appointments in Arlington, Clarendon, and Vermont Ave. They schedule 2 weeks out so you may have to wait, but there are appointments available. That’s where we booked ours.

Are the pop-up clinics walk-in, without appointment?

How do you register for the DC dates?