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FYI You may need an appointment at the store for a Covid Vaccination

Posted by annewoodmayo @annewoodmayo, Nov 6, 2023

You may need to make an appointment at the drug store for a Covid vaccination. You may need to plan ahead for it.
None of the store signs warned me of the need for a computer-based apppointment for my Covid vaccine.

Because of my autoimmune medication, my doctor gives me a narrow window of time to get vaccinations-- for the best results (7-10 days before my shot).

Since I didn't have an appointment, 3 drug stores wouldn't give me the vax. The fourth store did, after a long explanation directly to the pharmacist. One of the pharmacists at the other stores said they don't have enough vax for walk-ins...I don't know if that is true or not.

At one store, they checked the computer for me, and they were fully booked for the next 4 days, which would have put me too close to my shot for optimal take-up of the vax, per my rheumy.

My primary care doctor doesn't have the vax yet.

I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia. It might be different in your area.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 6, 2023

@annewoodmayo Thank you for this reminder! Yes, this is true in our area, also. When I got my RSV and flu vaccines in mid-September, it was no problem. By the time I was ready for my Covid update, I found out my little brick-and-mortar pharmacy was getting only 20 doses at a time. Ended up going to a big box store and having to do an appointment only. Fortunately, they had an opening that same afternoon. It is a 25 mile drive each way for me, so not something to just get in the car on a whim.

Those of us with compromised immune systems need to be very watchful of our timelines for getting vaccines, and timing with procedures. Next week I have [more] skin cancer surgery scheduled, and wanted to be ready for it!
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Nov 7, 2023
In reply to @gingerw "@annewoodmayo Thank you for this reminder! Yes, this is true in our area, also. When I..." + (show)
@gingerw

@annewoodmayo Thank you for this reminder! Yes, this is true in our area, also. When I got my RSV and flu vaccines in mid-September, it was no problem. By the time I was ready for my Covid update, I found out my little brick-and-mortar pharmacy was getting only 20 doses at a time. Ended up going to a big box store and having to do an appointment only. Fortunately, they had an opening that same afternoon. It is a 25 mile drive each way for me, so not something to just get in the car on a whim.

Those of us with compromised immune systems need to be very watchful of our timelines for getting vaccines, and timing with procedures. Next week I have [more] skin cancer surgery scheduled, and wanted to be ready for it!
Ginger

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Ginger,
Good luck with the surgery!

And thanks for the reply...I was afraid it was stupid to post what may have been really obvious to other people, but I didn't want anyone else to get stuck, too. 🙂

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 7, 2023
In reply to @annewoodmayo "Ginger, Good luck with the surgery! And thanks for the reply...I was afraid it was stupid..." + (show)
@annewoodmayo

Ginger,
Good luck with the surgery!

And thanks for the reply...I was afraid it was stupid to post what may have been really obvious to other people, but I didn't want anyone else to get stuck, too. 🙂

Jump to this post

@annewoodmayo I don't know if more people are realizing the reality/benefits of vaccinations, a staffing shortage in the pharmacies, a supply shortage, or combination of all three, but it was a good thing to remind us! It's not an instant effectiveness when we get those shots [except for the sore arm!]
Ginger

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