Have you gotten a COVID vaccine?

[DisneyJamieCA]

Wow, what state are you in?

I 100% believe @tvguy is telling the truth about his experience and what’s going on in his county, but I think it’s important to note that it is not true state wide. My county and the ones surrounding mine have opened eligibility. DD17, myself and DH all qualify.

It does make one question what’s going wrong at the state level for distribution. Why are some counties able to move ahead while some are still stuck in the first phase? I don’t have the answers but it makes me sad things appear so inequitable.

@tvguy have you looked at CVS or Kaiser outside of your county?

 

[DLgal]

Nope. And my county announced they won't be getting any additional vaccines until April. They are still working to get enough vaccine for the first group that opened up in DECEMBER. They opened up the second group on Monday, still over 65 or under 65 with specific health conditions. I'm Type 2 diabetic, which was in the second group, but they added the condition that your A1C had to be higher than 7.5. 6.5 and up is considered Type 2 diabetic, so not sure where they came up with the higher number.

Just make an appointment under the high risk criteria via CVS. As a rule in CA, they are not asking for ANY proof of your condition. I was not even asked for my ID! They literally don't care and just want to get shots in arms here in CA (I am referring, specifically to the pharmacies in the Federal Retail Pharmacy program that gets their supply from the Fed Govt, not from the state of CA).

As a diabetic, both the CDC and the CDPH recognize the increased Covid risk.

Make the appointment yourself and skip all the county nonsense (go on right after midnight and you should see plenty of slots available about 3 days out).

 

[DLgal]

I am finally eligible and get my first shot this Wednesday. Question for those of you who have had the shot . . .

I assume most people are requesting the shot in their non dominant arm so any soreness doesn’t affect your ability to write or do other things. However, I have different dominant hands for different tasks. For example, I write left handed only, use scissors right handed only, but I open jars using either. How sore should I expect to be and do any of you have a recommendation which arm I should get the shot in? I am considering the left arm even though I write left handed.

I didn't have a choice. They had a chair up against a wall. The vaccinator was on a chair to the left side when I sat down. Everyone got it in their left arm. It would have required some acrobatics to get in it the right one.

I will say the actual shot hurt more than I expected it to, and more than a flu shot for sure. I had soreness for 1.5 days, even though I moved and exercised my arm continually. I had pain when lifting it above shoulder level, but it didn't really affect my ability to function. I did wake up in pain the first night because I was laying on my left side. That was uncomfortable. The pain was completely gone about 36 hours later.

 

[tvguy]

Just make an appointment under the high risk criteria via CVS. As a rule in CA, they are not asking for ANY proof of your condition. I was not even asked for my ID! They literally don't care and just want to get shots in arms here in CA (I am referring, specifically to the pharmacies in the Federal Retail Pharmacy program that gets their supply from the Fed Govt, not from the state of CA).

As a diabetic, both the CDC and the CDPH recognize the increased Covid risk.

Make the appointment yourself and skip all the county nonsense (go on right after midnight and you should see plenty of slots available about 3 days out).

Sorry, when Stage 4 cancer patients have to wait months, I couldn't sleep at night if I line jumped.

 

[tvguy]

I 100% believe @tvguy is telling the truth about his experience and what’s going on in his county, but I think it’s important to note that it is not true state wide. My county and the ones surrounding mine have opened eligibility. DD17, myself and DH all qualify.

It does make one question what’s going wrong at the state level for distribution. Why are some counties able to move ahead while some are still stuck in the first phase? I don’t have the answers but it makes me sad things appear so inequitable.

@tvguy have you looked at CVS or Kaiser outside of your county?

I haven't because I don't qualify yet.

 

[Haley R]

I got my first Pfizer shot at cvs in Florida today! They are running a well oiled machine there. They didn’t ask for my id or anything just my name. There was no line. I walked up, got my shot, and walked around the store for 15 minutes. So far no arm soreness or anything. I like that cvs has you schedule your second one online as your scheduling the first. Dh is getting his Tuesday. I’m so happy I could cry lol. We are excited to get back to traveling. We still have to be cautious though with ds who is currently only 10 months

 

[DLgal]

Sorry, when Stage 4 cancer patients have to wait months, I couldn't sleep at night if I line jumped.

How is it line jumping if you have an identified condition that means you face a higher risk from contracting Covid-19 and that is who is currently eligible now?

By now, as a CA resident, you know the state is being ridiculous with the micromanaging of the criteria (among other things). The federal pharmacy program exists to eliminate all the hurdles of the state/county run programs. They WANT people going there and getting shots. You meet the high risk criteria based on CDC guidelines. Full stop. Get your vaccine.

The program will not ask you about your A1C level. They don't even want to know that you have diabetes. I registered my 16 year old son. We go tomorrow. He has a developmental disability and a communication disorder that makes getting medical care difficult and results in illnesses getting bad quickly because he cannot tell me how he is feeling. He is eligible per state guidelines. CVS did not even ask what makes him high risk. They simply asked which category makes him eligible and I chose "16+ with a high risk condition." That is as much detail as they wanted.

When I got my shot Friday as a "healthcare worker" (which I am technically not), they did not ask for my employee credentials. Which is good, because I don't have any. I did have the letter from the CA Department of Developmental Services that explained my eligibility as a "healthcare worker under 1A" as a caregiver to a family member with a developmental disability, and I had the medical records that show my sons diagnosis. I need not have wasted the printer ink and paper because I wasn't asked for more than my name and DOB at any point.

It is not your fault that cancer patients had to wait until March 15 to get vaccinated in this state. But those people can get vaccinated NOW and so can you.

By the way, I am still waiting to be able to schedule an appointment through the county system. I registered as a Tier 1A healthcare worker on February 12. When I decided to heck with the county, and went on the CVS site, I had my appointment booked within 3 days.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I haven't because I don't qualify yet.

You do with Kaiser

 

[DLgal]

You do with Kaiser

And also based on CDC qualifying criteria, which is what the Fed Pharmacy Program is using.

And by the way, TVGuy, Kaiser will vaccinate non members. Their list of high risk conditions is FAR more encompassing.

 

[Deb]

had my first pfizer shot last week. Had I not felt the needle go in I would be concerned I didn't actually get it. Zero arm soreness. Minor muscle aches/fatigue that could easily be ignored had I not just received a shot and been on the look out for side effects.

 

[tvguy]

You do with Kaiser

I just checked on their website and answered all their questions, it says I am not qualified. https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.or...rmation/covid-vaccine/vaccination-eligibility
My brother belongs to Kaiser and is 86 and had to go to a County site because Kaiser had no vaccine.

 

[tvguy]

How is it line jumping if you have an identified condition that means you face a higher risk from contracting Covid-19 and that is who is currently eligible now?

By now, as a CA resident, you know the state is being ridiculous with the micromanaging of the criteria (among other things). The federal pharmacy program exists to eliminate all the hurdles of the state/county run programs. They WANT people going there and getting shots. You meet the high risk criteria based on CDC guidelines. Full stop. Get your vaccine.

The program will not ask you about your A1C level. They don't even want to know that you have diabetes. I registered my 16 year old son. We go tomorrow. He has a developmental disability and a communication disorder that makes getting medical care difficult and results in illnesses getting bad quickly because he cannot tell me how he is feeling. He is eligible per state guidelines. CVS did not even ask what makes him high risk. They simply asked which category makes him eligible and I chose "16+ with a high risk condition." That is as much detail as they wanted.

When I got my shot Friday as a "healthcare worker" (which I am technically not), they did not ask for my employee credentials. Which is good, because I don't have any. I did have the letter from the CA Department of Developmental Services that explained my eligibility as a "healthcare worker under 1A" as a caregiver to a family member with a developmental disability, and I had the medical records that show my sons diagnosis. I need not have wasted the printer ink and paper because I wasn't asked for more than my name and DOB at any point.

It is not your fault that cancer patients had to wait until March 15 to get vaccinated in this state. But those people can get vaccinated NOW and so can you.

By the way, I am still waiting to be able to schedule an appointment through the county system. I registered as a Tier 1A healthcare worker on February 12. When I decided to heck with the county, and went on the CVS site, I had my appointment booked within 3 days.

They won't ask about my A1C, but they have a threshold and I don't meet that. I want the vaccine but I WILL play by the rules.

 

[charmed59]

I got my Moderna shot in my non-dominant arm. I did have a sore arm I was blaming on the vaccine, until I realized that was not the arm I got the shot in, but the arm I had been using to hit serves and overheads in tennis. So, never mind...

 

[Snowysmom]

I write with my left hand. For everything else I go between my left and right hand. I chose to have the vaccine in my right arm. I figured I need to write and it is easier for me to adjust to using my left hand. I am glad I did as my right arm is very sore after the second dose. Same for the first vaccine.

 

[DisneyOma]

I got my first shot last weekend, as I was a volunteer at our local clinic. Caught a guy who lied - not sure what happened to him, but he was from a neighboring state and did not work in this state. Not sure how he got into the clinic to start?

So frustrated with people lying about comorbidities and other things and posting on social media how they got an appointment, when we are still trying to get our most fragile population (65+) vaccinated here. Also sick of the "it's who you know" mentality that got a bunch of cops' spouses (and older kids) vaccinated at the last clinic even though we had people waiting outside and a waiting list of people who actually qualified.

 

[tvguy]

I don't qualify. From the CVS website:
COVID-19 Vaccines in California
Eligibility

• People age 65+
• Teachers K-12, Daycare and preschool workers, and staff
• Health care workers, EMS, food and agriculture workers, emergency services, public transit, airport, commercial airline workers
• Long-term care or any congregate care living residents and staff
• People age 16+ with a high risk medical condition that increases risk of severe illness from COVID-19

 

[SmallWorld71]

How’s the infant doing? That’s the main thing we’re worried about with having a 10 month old

My 7 month old niece had Covid back in February. She was a preemie who had a rough start to life and we were all so worried about her. Other than the first few days where she had a fever, my sister said it was more like a typical infant cold that just lasted a really long time. Poor thing had such glassy eyes in the beginning. She didn't fuss much and never lost her appetite. Unfortunately, about a week into quarantining with the baby, my sister developed symptoms. She said nursing was rough while having Covid and she was having some issues with pain until her doctor figured out she was dehydrated from nursing while sick. Her husband then caught it as well, but his was pretty mild.
Fortunately, due to the three of them quarantining, they did not spread it to their other children (10, 7) or to my mother and her husband that also live in the house and are older with health issues. They all wore masks in the house and my sister double masked if she had to leave the bedroom.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I just checked on their website and answered all their questions, it says I am not qualified. https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.or...rmation/covid-vaccine/vaccination-eligibility
My brother belongs to Kaiser and is 86 and had to go to a County site because Kaiser had no vaccine.

I already posted the updated Kaiser eligibility guidelines and diabetes is included, without any restrictions. It's entirely possible your area doesn't have the vaccine yet to do it, but I'd keep your eye out for an email and call tomorrow just to check.

I just took my mom for her vaccine through Kaiser and they are vaccinating a TON who are not 65+ and most of our teachers all done (this was all first shots today). It's worth trying anyway.

ETA: Fill out the vaccine e-visit. The longer list is buried in there.

 

[tvguy]

I already posted the updated Kaiser eligibility guidelines and diabetes is included, without any restrictions. It's entirely possible your area doesn't have the vaccine yet to do it, but I'd keep your eye out for an email and call tomorrow just to check.

I just took my mom for her vaccine through Kaiser and they are vaccinating a TON who are not 65+ and most of our teachers all done (this was all first shots today). It's worth trying anyway.

ETA: Fill out the vaccine e-visit. The longer list is buried in there.

Full Disclosure. My daughter-in-law works for Kaiser. So I have an "In" there, except there is no vaccine in Kaiser's Northern California region. Her parents got their vaccine no problem in Kaiser of Southern California, which has plenty of vaccine.

 

[Makmak]

I don't qualify. From the CVS website:
COVID-19 Vaccines in California
Eligibility

• People age 65+

You said earlier you have an 86 year old brother? And you are not at least 65?

also, you can help the neighbor schedule at the pharmacies since the government “line” is moving slowly. It is moving super slow here so I am helping ppl sign up since I’m OK getting up a little after midnight and able to go back to sleep
Later.