As eligibility expands, more and more people are able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting the actual shot is the easiest part of the process. There are many obstacles you must pass before you can receive the vaccine. This article will walk you through the process as I experienced it.
After waiting months, I was finally eligible to receive the vaccine, but just because you are eligible, does not guarantee that there is a dose waiting for you. The reason for this is that the state only gets a limited number of vaccines per week, according to the New York State Department of Health. Vaccine allocation is “based on the number of people 18 years or older in the jurisdiction in proportion to the entire U.S. population,” according to the Center for Disease Control. Currently, in New York, there are more people eligible to receive the vaccine than there are vaccinations.
Due to the high demand and limited supply, it is very difficult to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine. In order to get an appointment, you must go on the New York State Department of Health Covid-19 Vaccine Dashboard. On this page, you must go through an eligibility screening. This screening asks questions such as your name, age, residency, occupation, and if you have any health issues.
Once you have completed this and are found eligible, you will be directed to a page of locations where you can receive the vaccine. The page will list locations according to distance relative to your residency. I had to drive over three hours away to receive my dose. This is unfortunately common as certain counties run out of the vaccine slots faster than others.
After selecting your vaccination location, you then move on to scheduling a specific day and time. As of April 4, the soonest date you can receive the vaccine near Geneseo is April 26, according to the New York State Department of Health. I became eligible on February 15 of this year but did not get an appointment until March 6. You should also be made aware that the day and time you choose will correspond with your second dose.
Once scheduled, your screen will show a confirmation ticket. It is in your best interest to save this ticket and print it since you will need it on your vaccination day. There is a second online form you need to fill out prior to your appointment day that is an attestation of your eligibility. Once your eligibility is proven again, the form then asks demographic questions such as age, race and ethnicity. Again, after completing this form you will be presented with a confirmation ticket that you should save and print as it will need to be presented on your vaccination day.
The actual process of receiving the vaccine is quite an easy one. You arrive at your designated location at your designated time and the process is smooth sailing. When you walk in, members of the National Guard will be waiting to take your temperature and direct you. You are then directed to a line where you will once again be asked about your eligibility. At the table where you are checked in, you will need to present your state ID/driver’s license, insurance, the two confirmation tickets I mentioned earlier and any other proof of eligibility you have.
Once you are all checked in, things move very quickly. You enter a line, where you are social distancing, to await your turn. When I went, there were over 100 tables set up in a grid. The grid had rows that corresponded with numbers and columns that corresponded with letters. When it is your turn, you are directed to a specific table. At my specific location, the table had two people: one to administer the shot and the other to enter information into a computer.
When you arrive at your table, you need to again present your state ID/driver’s license and insurance card (if you have one). It is important to note that the vaccination is free of charge, but they need to have your insurance on file for their records. You then have a seat in a chair next to the little table. Your nurse will ask you a series of questions including if you have cancer, are on blood thinners or have any autoimmune issues. After that, you are then given the injection. I received the Pfizer vaccine and found there was very little pain during the injection. You are then given a vaccination card with the date and time of your next appointment. You need to keep this card in a safe place because it is necessary to present for your second shot.
After the injection you are sent to an observation area which is a grid of chairs set up all six feet apart. You are given a slip of paper with the amount of time you need to wait before leaving. The average waiting time in observation is 15 minutes, but if you have any underlying issues that may cause complications, you are given a 30-minute wait time. Once your time is up, you place your slip of paper on the chair to notify cleaners to sanitize the spot, and then you are free to go.
I know many people are worried about side effects. It is important to stress that side effects vary from person to person, but I can tell you what I experienced. The day after my first injection, the only side effect I experienced was a sore arm; it felt just like a flu shot.
Moving to the second dose, the process is very much the same. You arrive at your specific time on your appointment day just like before. Your temperature is taken, you present your state ID/driver’s license and then you proceed to the vaccination area. When you reach your table, you must present your ID/driver’s license and the vaccination card you received after your first dose. They go through the same screening questions as they did for the first dose. You are then given the second dose of the vaccine and complete the details of your vaccination. You will need to keep your now complete vaccination card in a safe location as it is your proof of vaccination. Again, you will be directed to an observation area with a slip of paper stating how long you are to be observed.
After the second shot you are likely to experience some side effects. Again, it is very important to note that side effects are different for everyone and I am speaking only from my experience. After I received the Pfizer vaccine, I had a migraine, muscle aches and a sore arm; however, I think it is worth it to deal with the small side effects from the vaccine in order to be at a decreased risk of retracting COVID-19.
Overall, the experience of getting the COVID-19 vaccine is not horrible. If you are eligible, please get the vaccine. If you get the vaccine, we move closer to herd immunity. The sooner we get to herd immunity, the sooner this will all be over, and we can get back to normal life.
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