Vaccinations

[winniplayhouse]

Also, the system will physically allow you to book slots BEFORE the recommended wait time between doses (21 days for Pfizer and 28 for Moderna) and I know a few people who accidentally booked too early and had to rebook.

[rick35]

We received our first shots yesterday and was told to book our second shots for around March first. The vams system only shows dates beginning Apr 3rd. I called 211 and was told they're trying to fix the system and to keep trying. If that doesn't work I was told to call and they'll schedule us manually. I couldn't do that today because that system isn't working either. Sounds like NH is trying to keep with the manufacturer recommended dates but CDC says it can be longer.

[tummyman]

i sent a note to WMUR reporter who had a great article yesterday on the issue. Following is her reporting just a few minutes ago via an email to me. Stand by....this is just "breaking news"!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Below is from Jean Mackin, WMUR

How frustrating and you are NOT alone.
We just got an update so I wanted to pass this along right away:

State is apologizing for technical issue with the CDC VAMS website not allowing 2nd dose appointment scheduling today.
The VAMS website was not seeing NH locations. State says it’s working on issue, those locations should appear by end of today or tomorrow.

Perry Plummer says they know how many people need dose two, the state has those doses, and people will have appointments within 7 days of when they’re due.

For now, asking for patience. Everyone will be able to get on and schedule or reschedule to an appropriate time.

2-1-1 is swamped and cannot help schedule or reschedule a 2nd dose right now

Jennifer Crompton will have full reporting today - she just conducted the interview with the state.

Take care,
Jean Mackin

[tummyman]

Finally got through on the call line after an hour on hold. Was told book anything that i could and they would get back to me with other options. Really??? Why didn't they just plug in a second appointmeny when we got the shot. The state claimed lots of slots available and most would get the shots around or slightly after the time frame. Person told me to just book anything. So instead of Plymouth, we are at Exeter NH...over 50 miles away on April 3rd....60 days after first shot vs 28 recommended. The whole process just collapsed! No answers from state. Useless web site.

[winni83]

I do not understand how the NH and VAMS systems are unable to confirm second shots within the required window when Huggins Hospital was able to give us a written confirmed appointment exactly 28 days from our first shot while we were in the waiting area for the required 15 minutes after the first shot. Now our second appointment does not show up on the VAMS website, but Huggins specifically told us that we are all set and that we SHOULD NOT try to book or confirm a second shot on the VAMS website.

[TheTimeTraveler]

It's absolutely BS how the State of New Hampshire is handling the second shot scenario! WHY do you need to make ANOTHER appointment after you struggle to make your first one?

I only say this because in Florida the Publix Supermarket chain is handling many of the Vaccinations in the State. Once you make your first appointment they AUTOMATICALLY provide you an appointment in 28 days, and tell you to return at the exact same time. Easy. Done. No more hassles!

Automatic second appointments should be the rule of the day. All 50 States should climb on board the same train.......

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

It's absolutely BS how the State of New Hampshire is handling the second shot scenario! WHY do you need to make ANOTHER appointment after you struggle to make your first one?

I only say this because in Florida the Publix Supermarket chain is handling many of the Vaccinations in the State. Once you make your first appointment they AUTOMATICALLY provide you an appointment in 28 days, and tell you to return at the exact same time. Easy. Done. No more hassles!

Automatic second appointments should be the rule of the day. All 50 States should climb on board the same train.......

Many people in Florida are having the same problems getting in when the appointments become available. My niece in Rye, NH got a Florida Publix appointment for me on Sunday January 31, at 3:24 PM. The second shot was scheduled in the same confirmation email for 28 days out. I arrived at 3:05 PM had the shot by 3:15, and after a 10 minute waiting period I was out the door.

What I find interesting is that many Florida people are having trouble getting in on the website and my niece in Rye has now been able to get 11 Florida people appointments. I have no idea how that works!

[TheTimeTraveler]

Keep in mind that my beef with the New Hampshire rollout of the Corona Virus Vaccines is not the first injection. My question is why does New Hampshire make folks go through the hoops AGAIN in order to get a second injection? There's a better way to do it and Publix in Florida does it properly (Publix has folks return at the same time frame in 21 or 28 days for an automatic second injection WITHOUT signing up again for a second appointment).

All 50 States have sign up issues for the first injection, and sadly nothing can be done about that until the supply exceeds the demand.

Again, there is no reason to make anyone go thru a second sign up process when it can be done automatically.

[Slickcraft]

We did get our shots of Moderna yesterday afternoon. We don't have 2nd appointments yet, the earliest shown is March 31. The Governor says that a scheduling fix is in the works so we will wait to schedule the 2nd shots.

The National Guard was well organized. They did not make use of the QR codes that we had and they gave us the same list of questions that we had completed online. At the time of receiving the shot you verbally say that none of the conditions apply.

They check your ID, find you on the list and then you are directed to a parking spot. There are 3 long rows marked with cones so there is an open space on each side. I was on time for my 3:40 appointment and parked by 3:45. Then a long wait. My wife had a 4:00 time and I saw her park near the start of another row. So it looked like two time slots of cars, maybe 40 or 50 total, were in place then the vaccination staff with carts started down each row. I got the jab at 4:10 and my wife at about 4:12. Then you put your flashers on , wait 15 minutes and then leave. Flashers on, means that you have received the shot.

Just prior to the shot an assistant takes your ID and then after the shot gives the ID back along with a filled out card.

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

We did get our shots of Moderna yesterday afternoon. We don't have 2nd appointments yet, the earliest shown is March 31. The Governor says that a scheduling fix is in the works so we will wait to schedule the 2nd shots.

The National Guard was well organized. They did not make use of the QR codes that we had and they gave us the same list of questions that we had completed online. At the time of receiving the shot you verbally say that none of the conditions apply.

They check your ID, find you on the list and then you are directed to a parking spot. There are 3 long rows marked with cones so there is an open space on each side. I was on time for my 3:40 appointment and parked by 3:45. Then a long wait. My wife had a 4:00 time and I saw her park near the start of another row. So it looked like two time slots of cars, maybe 40 or 50 total, were in place then the vaccination staff with carts started down each row. I got the jab at 4:10 and my wife at about 4:12. Then you put your flashers on , wait 15 minutes and then leave. Flashers on, means that you have received the shot.

Just prior to the shot an assistant takes your ID and then after the shot gives the ID back along with a filled out card.

Where did this take place?
Did you and your wife apply separately and, therefore, received different times?

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by JEEPONLY

Where did this take place?
Did you and your wife apply separately and, therefore, received different times?

Laconia; LRCC. Yes we had separate appointments, did not trust the add a person feature.

[rick35]

I'm finally coming to the conclusion that this is hosed. I thought they would figure it out this week but I'm not so sure. I read the Union Leader and WMUR stories and get more confused. Am I supposed to book an April appointment or not? Will someone from the State contact me? Will my April appointment get switched to March? When I went to the NH website there's no information. I guess I'll need to call 211 tomorrow.

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Laconia; LRCC. Yes we had separate appointments, did not trust the add a person feature.

Thank you.

I'll find out, tomorrow, if the add a person thing worked (reason foe asking!)- I hope tomorrow's coming snow won't affect things

WMUR- starting Sunday, all first vaccinations will come with a card declaring the appointment for the second shot. Also- previously set 2nd appointments should now be easy to cancel, and then go and reschedule. I don't know if this means two trips to VAMS or not- but the Governor said it was fixed!

[rick35]

I've been into VAMS a hundred times. Nothing has been fixed.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

It’s my understanding,from WMUR and Gov. Sununu, from now on, when you receive shot #1, you will be assigned the date/time/place of the 2nd shot. Therefore, there won’t be a need to engage in the frustrating exercise of trying to schedule the next. Fingers crossed.
Oops...my bad....the new system starts Sunday, 2/7.

[Lakegeezer]

Got my first jab today at the Armory in Plymouth. Great crew of soldiers, including the medic that gave the jab. When I got home an hour later, I logged into VAMS and there were plenty of appointments within 100 miles. The earliest date I found was March 20 and most appointments were in April. The folks that gave me the jab weren't scheduling appointments and so far, I haven't received an email telling me what to do next. For me, logging into my VAMS account and clicking on "schedule an appointment" worked great. Would I rather have a March 3'rd date and get the second jab right on day 28? Sure. But, two and a half weeks late is well within spec, so I am happy. So far (3 hours), the only effect I can notice is a light pressure at the injection site in my arm. About the weight of a small paper notebook resting on the arm.

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by rick35

I've been into VAMS a hundred times. Nothing has been fixed.

Yes our expedience as well

[smith point boater]

Our experience is that you literally have to go in and check VAMS every 10 -15 min It changes that fast. We've been able to move up our appt to within 48hrs of our desired date. Other people are doing this because appts disappear while you are watching. Click on the time as soon as you see it or its gone!!!
The spouse/partner add on does work - we did not find it an issue at all.

Starting Sunday governor says state will start the 1st shot 2nd appt given policy. This doesn't help the thousands that have already given 1st shot and struggling to get the second timely appt

[rick35]

It took two hours on hold but I got through on 211 this morning. We're now on a call back list to schedule our second appointment. I was told i will get a call within two weeks and the second shot will be within 7 days of the recommended date.

[Newbiesaukee]

I got my perfect appointment 2 days ago.

It took 13 tries over several days. Last night I got a series of emails from VAMS each one stating that I had cancelled an appointment. The last one said I cancelled an appointment 2 days ago and have not rescheduled and need to do it.

I went on VAMS and my perfect appointment is there as well as the correct list of cancellations and rescheduling, including my correct appointment as scheduled.

This has been very disconcerting. Of course, after each cancel, reappointment I immediately got VAMS confirmation and email.

But this suggests a VAMS glitch. Not what we need right now. I did take screenshots confirming my appointment “just in case” but not comfortable with this.

Has this delayed, inaccurate VAMS communication happened to anyone else?

[smith point boater]

Newbie - Exact same experience except I didn't get an email saying I cancelled and had not rescheduled. My wife and I did go thru several days and MANY hours monitoring the VAMS site and locations looking for available appts to open on the day we wanted. Finally got it yesterday - our 2nd appt is exactly 28 days and 4 hrs from the 1st shot - perfect.
2 weeks after that we hope to have some normality back in our life - al beit still wearing masks and keeping distances to protect everyone else

[JEEPONLY]

As some have experienced, our appointed went unflawed.

Appointment time- Friday, 2/5- 5:40pm.
As WE entered the lot, there was a lit sign saying do not arrive more than ten minutes before your appointment- well, if you didn't already know this, and were concerned about being late (long lines, etc.)- anyway, moot point.

We pulled into the lot at 5:25 (eek!- five minutes early!). By the time we went through 2-3 "stations" (courteous and professional), we were right on the dot.

A questionnaire, which did not get collected, and a separate document for me (the "add on person" (they called it the plus-one, a process that went well) which they did keep- name/address/email.

A soldier came to the car, confirmed who we are, and the "shot" was the next step.

The male nurse giving the shot arrived and explained who he was (from out of district) and assured us of his abilities.

Got the shot (Moderna)- gave us cards recording the event- 5:55, emergency blinkers on for 15 minutes while sitting in the lot- 6:10- no reactions and on our way!!! We were told 28 days for the next one.

Here's to getting the second part just done just as easily!

[smith point boater]

Slick - what you need to do is both register (which assume you are)with a plus one. Keep searching til ONE of you gets the appt. Then the other person keeps looking until you get an earlier appt and take that one. then cancel the first one and start looking again until you get an earlier one then start the process over again My wife and I kept leap- frogging until we got what we wanted. BTW we were researching 4 sites Belmont, Concord, Hooksett, Dover - Would not have bothered us to drive to any of those. Good luck moving on up

[tummyman]

Finally had success this morning, but had to take a site in Concord on Loudon Rd. Only place that had an opening at the correct interval. So I have about a 45 mile drive to get 2nd shot. All other locations had no appointments in March except 8 weeks out from out 1st shot. Spent yesterday and made maybe 25 inquires all day long but had zero success. I am hoping this is an outdoor site like we visited in Plymouth.

So March 2nd is a "go". Now hope wife will be able to get her shot at the same time, as we did put her name down on my application. If so, we will cancel a later in the week appointment for her.

[bobkatfly]

Jeep, thanks for the detailed report. My wife and I have a 12:40 appointment today for the first shot. Going to follow your arrival time experience. Almost a hour ride for us (with our 1 year and 4 year old grandkids in tow) so have to get ready now

Originally Posted by JEEPONLY

As some have experienced, our appointed went unflawed.
Appointment time- Friday, 2/5- 5:40pm.
As WE entered the lot, there was a lit sign saying do not arrive more than ten minutes before your appointment- well, if you didn't already know this, and were concerned about being late (long lines, etc.)- anyway, moot point.

We pulled into the lot at 5:25 (eek!- five minutes early!). By the time we went through 2-3 "stations" (courteous and professional), we were right on the dot.

A questionnaire, which did not get collected, and a separate document for me (the "add on person" (they called it the plus-one, a process that went well) which they did keep- name/address/email.

A soldier came to the car, confirmed who we are, and the "shot" was the next step.

The male nurse giving the shot arrived and explained who he was (from out of district) and assured us of his abilities.

Got the shot (Moderna)- gave us cards recording the event- 5:55, emergency blinkers on for 15 minutes while sitting in the lot- 6:10- no reactions and on our way!!! We were told 28 days for the next one.

Here's to getting the second part just done just as easily!

[Blue Thunder]

This thread is getting pretty long in the tooth but I’ll add my experience anyway.
I am a First Responder in Mass. I got my first dose (Moderna) in Mid January and second dose exactly 28 days later. I had no discomfort with the first dose and only a sore arm for two days with the second. IMPORTANT point for me is that I had the virus in September. The speculation for now is that since I had the virus my body had already started to build the antibodies therefore the second shot didn’t give me any side effects. Not the case with many of my coworkers though. Fever, chills, fatigue etc for about 12-24 hours....

BT

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by rick35

It took two hours on hold but I got through on 211 this morning. We're now on a call back list to schedule our second appointment. I was told i will get a call within two weeks and the second shot will be within 7 days of the recommended date.

We went through 2 days of checking several times per hour and the earliest we could schedule was March 27th; 3 weeks late. So we finally did that. We also talked to a 211 person yesterday and provided our contact info. We got the same promise of a call back to reschedule.

One downside of scheduling a date is that you can no longer check to see if anything earlier is available unless you cancel the appointment that you already have.