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

[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.