The Vaccine Distribution Mess Was Avoidable
Federal leadership could have avoided today’s delays and confusion; fortunately, help is on the way.
Busy signals. “All Reservations are filled.” “The number you have dialed is not in service.” Hang-ups after waiting on hold for 12 minutes. “I’m sorry, our computer has crashed.” “We don’t know when the next shipment will arrive.” “Have you tried other counties?”
I have heard all of this in the last two weeks as I have attempted to secure a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. So far, no luck.
Some neighbors have been luckier. One was invited to come in for a shot by a hospital because, before the pandemic, he had done volunteer work there. Another researched the most sparsely populated counties in the state, contacted them, got a reservation, and then drove 500 miles each way to get her shot. She will repeat the trip to get the second dose in a week. Other neighbors miraculously got through a telephone reservation system or went online during the three nanoseconds when the reservation system was functioning.
Whining? Does it have to be this hard?
The answer is no. Several steps could have, and should have, been taken to ensure that once vaccines were approved that states, cities, and…
