Charlie Baker is under fire -- again -- for COVID-19 vaccine signup problems

[sheshe2]

Charlie Baker fugged us up again. THE SITE CRASHED. I have checked all day. No appointments available for me. None. Nada. Nothing.

“We expect answers from those responsible for this failure."

After announcing that COVID-19 vaccination appointments would open up at 8 a.m. on Thursday to Massachusetts residents over the age of 65 and those with certain medical conditions, Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters Wednesday that he thought the state’s new and improved vaccine website “would be in good shape” to handle the roughly 100 percent increase in newly eligible individuals.

It wasn’t.



Overwhelmed by the rush of residents seeking to book one of the limited number of appointments, the state’s vaxfinder.mass.gov site crashed for more than two hours Thursday morning, eliciting a storm of frustration and criticism from residents and lawmakers alike, who said the administration should have been more prepared as it open vaccination eligibility to nearly 1 million additional residents.

Link to tweet

https://www.boston.com/news/coronavirus/2021/02/18/charlie-baker-vaccine-website-criticism

[Croney]

1. Did you see my post this morning, giving the Danvers link?

https://curative.com/sites/24181?fbclid=IwAR0RrfkVZg-Cdz_djiPPGYsWl7yzAJ-gp_LwaBBIUKxf5mtcQDx1KTTQpJM

I got an appt for my husband this morning, for Tuesday. More slots will be added every day at 8am. The site crashed until about 8:15, when I was able to get a slot.

Good luck!

[sheshe2]

3. Thanks for the link, Croney.

Zero slots available for the next two weeks now. I am hoping to find something closer, that is 100 miles round trip and my 14 year old car may not like it.

Thanks.

[Croney]

4. Oh! For some reason I thought you were in Boston.

I hope you find something closer to you.

[Thekaspervote]

2. There are 20 states where vaccine delivery has been held up due to cold

Not sure if that’s part of the problem...we can’t get appointments.

Time...this all takes time

[JenniferJuniper]

5. So I just spent most of the morning

trying to get an appointment for my aunt, who is 74.

Every single time an appointment popped up, it was gone as soon as I put her information in. Unlike say concert tickets, your place isn't held for a few minutes so you can get the info in. There doesn't appear to be any way to schedule an appointment past this coming week either.

WTAF? Her sisters on Long Island had no difficulty getting appointments, although they were set a few weeks out. (and one was able to move hers up a week).

Baker is up for re-election next year. He shouldn't even bother running.

[sheshe2]

6. I hear you, Jennifer.

It is frustrating to say the least.

The only open appointment I found was in Marshfield and only open to Plymouth County residents.

[JenniferJuniper]

7. Yes, Marshfield keeps showing up as the only one available,

when I search but she lives in Norfolk County. Fenway and Patriot Place are gone the second after they show up.

I've tried individual supermarkets and CVSs that say they do statewide, but every single I've checked is book.

How can such a supposedly smart state be so stupid? Why can't people book through the month of March to hold off the stampede? Fenway and Foxboro aren't going anywhere.

[sheshe2]

11. Did you get an appointment yet for your Aunt?

I got one for CVS on Sat.

Just got a text from CVS saying there will be hundreds available in the next two days.

[JenniferJuniper]

12. Yes! CVS in North Easton tomorrow!

[sheshe2]

13. Glad to here it, Jennifer.

I thought of you when I got the text, wanted to make sure you were covered.

Good News!

[JenniferJuniper]

14. Thanks, she thinks I'm a magician,

but it was pure luck. I just happened to check at the same moment when they all crashed in. Within 10 minutes every place was full.

[sheshe2]

15. My sister is the one who found mine at about 7AM.

She booked me. I was on at 8 and nada.

Let her think you are a magician.

[nutsnberries]

8. i was hopeful this morning that the scheduling problems were fixed

but i've waited all day to get an appointment at the doubletree, danvers location.
I have waited in the virtual waiting room and gotten in and then once i'm in, there are no appointments.
so frustrating.
but i'll keep trying!

I am 59 but care for my 96 year old mother. i already brought her for her first dose and had learned that morning that one person accompanying someone 75+ could be vaccinated with them but i wasn't able to schedule one for myself. at my mother's appointment they told me, "just book something for a date/time close to her second dose and you can get your first at that time and then we'll schedule your second one for you." easier said than done. why is it so difficult?

and they are offering this NOT because i am caring for her, they are offering this to encourage people to make appointments and provide transportation for seniors because these super sites are too hard to book and access.

our town has flu shot clinics every year. i understand that because of availability, they don't have enough doses of covid vaccine to do one clinic and get the whole town done, but couldn't they be offered once every other week or once a month until everyone is done? seniors having to travel and the scheduling process in Massachusetts is ridiculous.

and im not usually a complainer BUT there was no provision for mobility issues at the Doubletree site. We were told as we entered the lot to wait in our vehicle until 5 mins before the appointment. I asked if the walk to the building was long and the officer said, "if she can't make it, you'll have to drop her at the door and then go park again." I saw lots of elderly people with walkers, canes, wheelchairs, trying to make their way to the door in the cold and it was awful. My mom can walk but not very far without getting winded. I wasn't going to leave my 96 year old mother in line by the door in the cold while i parked. she doesn't understand social distancing at all and i had no idea what she might do left alone for a few minutes. As it turned out, I was able to find a spot close enough to the door before we needed to get in line. And the line moved fairly quickly. Once we made it in, things were fine.

Now, if I could only access an appointment, when she gets her second dose, I might get one too. This is too hard for most people and it's just not good...
I'm off to write to Gov Baker now and let him know the scheduling fix isn't working very well.

[sheshe2]

9. Sounds like an awful experience...

Sounds like an awful experience for both you and your mom. I can't imagine trying to take a 96 year old there. Good for your mom, mine would never have made it and is two years younger.

Good luck with your appointment, hope it comes through for you. I was finally able to get one for Saturday...that was after trying 24/7 for 5 days.

Please do give Baker an earful!

[nutsnberries]

10. thank you,

I have tried again since i posted.
i waited, got in, and then there were no appointments to be had.
can't the site just close if there aren't any appointments available instead of stringing thousands of people along thinking they might get one? it seems too much to ask.

I wrote to Baker while i waited this time! I feel better having done that.
I still have a week before mom's second appointment - maybe I'll get something booked.
If not, at least mom will have hers and for that, I am grateful!

fingers crossed.