We asked readers what they think of the state’s vaccine rollout. Many aren’t happy.
"I find it insulting to put blame on seniors' lack of ability for the problems that exist.”
Related Links
When asked to rate the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, an overwhelming majority of Boston.com readers who responded to our poll question say it’s going poorly.
Out of 320 responses to a recent poll, a total of 245 people – that’s over 75 percent – chose the response “Poor – based on how things are going in other states, we’ve clearly screwed up.” The second-highest number of votes went to “Fair, but could definitely be smoother and better organized.” Just 10 people voted for “Good, given the limitations in terms of supplies and logistics,” with 13 people voting for “Other.”
“It is too slow!” wrote one respondent who voted for “other.”
Others elaborated on the sometimes challenging and lengthy process of trying to get an appointment for themself or a loved one who is eligible under the state’s phased approach, which has just been extended to individual caretakers of those 75 and older who accompany them to get the shot.
“Trying to get appointments for my 80-year-old mother and 82-year-old aunt has been a nightmare,” wrote one respondent. “I can’t realistically take them to Fenway or Gillette. We need more local options for the older folks. I’m in the Burlington/Woburn belt and I have a full-time job.”
Another reader described the “crazy” way his parents got their vaccines.
“It’s crazy. My parents got a random phone call from a nurse asking to be at the hospital in 30 minutes because they had leftover doses,” James from Quincy said. “They run to [the] hospital, get their shots and ask the nurse, why did they call them? They technically were early (both fall under Phase 2). Another person my mother worked with knew the nurse and she gave them their cell numbers if there was leftover doses.”
Others described hours spent on the vaccination websites, sometimes in the dead of night, only to come up empty handed.
“I went on the computer at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, when phase 2 registration was supposed to open,” reader Sydell wrote in response to a separate Boston.com survey about vaccine appointments. “The map that was presented was ridiculous. It was very small with a whole bunch of symbols representing facilities where the vaccine would be administered. It was impossible to tell which circle represented which location. So I randomly tried about a dozen various locations and they all said there were no appointments available within 30 miles of Needham. At that point, I gave up!”
Another reader said their lack of being able to make an appointment has nothing to do with her computer skills, thank you very much.
“Yes, I have tried to make appts. for me and my husband for hours over the last several days,” a reader named June wrote. “My lack of success has nothing to do with my ability and/or comfort with computer use. I find it insulting to put blame on seniors’ lack of ability for the problems that exist.”
Meanwhile, changes and improvements to the rollout continue: Since Boston.com issued these polls, the state has added a vaccine call center. The vaccination website was also updated to allow people to search by zip code for appointments. State lawmakers are also pushing for other changes, including mobile vaccination sites for communities of color, and pre-registration and then a notification for when there’s an available appointment.
Here are some other reader responses:
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
“My awesome parents live alone in Cambridge in an apartment, and I have tried to help them, however I can’t navigate the rat’s nest of official websites, 3rd-party providers, and endless hope-dashing forms. Ultimately, we’re into Day 2 with no appointments. The closest I came were slots in the Berkshires, which just won’t work for them. My dad has narcolepsy and can’t travel that far and my mother isn’t comfortable driving, either. What they need is a clinic near them, not a clinic on the other side of the state. Nor can they be expected to wait in the cold at Gillette or Fenway for hours. I live in Vermont and my neighbors were able to sign up for their vaccine through the State of Vermont in one day. It’s all centralized and when there was a problem, they could call a call center for help. They have appointments for a clinic nearby. So painful for me to be away from my parents and unable to help.” – Max E.
“Yes, I tried all last night and today, filled out many long questionnaires asking for my insurance and I provided so much personal information each time, only to find no appt. at the end of this very tedious process. NONE of the pharmacies had anything and I tried to larger sites and also found nothing. Some links did not even work. I am very frustrated. Neighboring states seem to be more advanced in this process. Why would anyone expect us seniors to be able to navigate this, and no phone numbers anywhere??? When you call the pharmacies, all you get is an automated canned message. This is awful.” – Mary M.
“We are shut-ins in Rockland. My husband is 75 and I am 71; we cannot go out because we both have walking issues. How will we be able to get the vaccine ? I am worried because my son and his wife both go out to work and I feel like we are being exposed every time they come home.” – Dianne D.
“Booking an appointment for my 89-year-old mother. The site is very poorly designed. It is centered on the location and then by date. A person selects the location then the date and must put in all their information. Then the system will indicate if an appointment on that date is available. Mostly likely there is no appointment available. To try another location and time all of the person’s information must be re-entered. This is an absolutely terrible online experience. The fix will include making the system person-centered where individual information is persisted, then a person should be able to select from truly available appointments by location.” – Joe L.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com