Vaccinations

[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.

[rick35]

We were able to book March 3rd in Concord. It's farther away than we'd like but at least we're scheduled. If we get a call back to schedule in Nashua we'll cancel Concord but I'm not very trusting. And I'm not looking forward to being on hold again for two hours. I can recite the recording by heart now.

[Slickcraft]

We also just got appointments in Concord for March 3rd, our first day of eligibility.

[Woody38]

My wife and I had appointments for the vaccine on the same day at different locations. I dropped my wife off and waited for he. Then I needed to use a bathroom so I went in and asked if I could do that. The kind young lady said I could get the vaccine if I wanted. She asked if I was eligible. Yes. So she put me in line. in registering I tolk the young man I had an appt. later at another location. No problem. He cancelled that and made me one there. Done.
We both now have appt. at the same time, same place for the second dose.
They had plenty vaccine available and are anxious to vaccinate everyone.

__________________________________

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

[TheTimeTraveler]

The recent posts indicate good news regarding the increasing ability to schedule Vaccine appointments.

It appears the supply is slowly increasing (albeit very slowly) and this is really good news for all our senior citizens.

Let's hope the vaccine supplies continue ramping up so that everyone who wants a vaccine can finally get one over the next few months.

Without a doubt, there will continue to be "glitches" along the way! Think positive.



.

[Flyfisha]

Tummyman
The Concord site is in the old Sears auto service building. They pull up the huge garage doors and take 8 cars at a time. No need to leave your vehicle. I noticed a distinct improvement in their organization from my first to my second injection.

[tummyman]

Flyfisha.....perfect. Thanks so much for the great info. Really appreciate it. One last thing...I assume it is the Moderna vaccine they are issuing?

[Steveo]

Originally Posted by tummyman

Flyfisha.....perfect. Thanks so much for the great info. Really appreciate it. One last thing...I assume it is the Moderna vaccine they are issuing?

Yes Concord is giving out Moderna.

BTW: This morning, all the major sites have plenty of availability first week in March. They finally got it together.

[rick35]

I took my chances and cancelled our Concord appointment and was able to book March 2nd in Nashua. Better a 15 minute ride than 45.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

I read somewhere that it’s not suggested that a person take Tylenol or ibuprofen prior to the injection (to ward off unpleasant reactions) because doing so could/would reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. It would be helpful to hear yay or nay from our forum medical geniuses. Thanks.

[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

[bobkatfly]

Just finished. Went smooth. Got Pfizer and second appt. one month out.

[SailinAway]

I experienced two system errors. My first registration didn't go through, but I wasn't notified of that for 9 days. There was no sign of any problem when I registered. When I reregistered, I couldn't get an appointment until April 10---10 weeks after my neighbor, who registered at the same time as me. Then the system notified me a second time that my registration didn't go through---it took an hour on the phone to figure out that wasn't true.

Warning: if you don't get the promised email within 48 hours, reregister.

This kind of system error means that older people who should have been vaccinated earlier will end up in the younger group at a later date.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

I wonder what’s going to happen with appointments that were cancelled state-wide for tomorrow due to the storm. Are those people now going to be pushed out for many weeks/months? Our first shot is scheduled for this Thursday late, and we’re hoping to beat the next storm scheduled for Thursday P.M.

[SailinAway]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

I wonder what’s going to happen with appointments that were cancelled state-wide for tomorrow due to the storm. Are those people now going to be pushed out for many weeks/months? Our first shot is scheduled for this Thursday late, and we’re hoping to beat the next storm scheduled for Thursday P.M.

WMUR says that Tuesday appointments will be rescheduled for later this week and that officials will call people to reschedule.

https://www.wmur.com/article/some-ne...storm/35509121

[tummyman]

We had our first shot rescheduled....was to be Feb 2, but they moved everyone to Feb 1st due to storm forecast. I had heard that they had at least one day a week set aside in case they had to make a mass cancellation. We got an email moving the date and saying that our times were exactly the same. So I suspect they already have a plan and it will be easy. But fingers crossed !!!!!!!!!!!

[ApS]

Not everyone is happy...

https://www-thestar-com.cdn.ampproje...ask-ellie.html

[smith point boater]

Wife and I both got our 2nd shots - as scheduled - on Tuesday. Again at LRCC. Process was much smoother than the first time and we were in and out in 45 min. including the 15 minute post shot wait.

FYI - Make sure you remind the shot giver that you are there for 2nd shot. They were prepared for my 2nd shot but for some reason thought my wife was her first. Quickly clarified and the person just went and got a different syringe.
There is a slight difference in the 2nd shot "formula" so make sure you get the right one

Hope you all get your shots soon!!!

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Smith Point Boater, we are wondering whether you had reactions to the 2nd shot, other than sore arm, etc? We understand the 2nd dose is stronger. We are booked on a flight about 36 hours after the shots, which is probably cutting it close. Thanks.

[Newbiesaukee]

Although, the second dose of the mRNA vaccines have been said to have more side effects, I can not find any reliable references that the second dose is in anyway different from the first. The only references I can find state they are exactly the same.

My personal experience is really of no value to answer the question but my wife and I had our second Moderna yesterday. For the first shot, my wife had a sore arm and I had a sore arm as well as a headache, weakness, nausea which lasted less than a day. With the second shot, I have a sore arm and my wife is in bed with chills, headache, fatigue and nausea. I’m certain she’ll feel better later.

We’re both happy to have had them and the National Guard, this time at Plymouth, were terrific.

[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.