Delays in receiving the second shot of the Covid vaccine.

I drove 150+ miles away to find an opening for the first shot. I go back for the second when notified.

I’m in NYC and when I arrived back home after receiving my first Pfizer vaccine, there was an email from the place directing me to schedule an appointment for my second shot. I’m scheduled to receive it on Monday.

Acquisition requests and dissemination practices are largely left to each state. Consistency across the board isn't happening.

R2 That's good.

They're doing them up to 12 weeks apart here in the UK so that they can get the first jab into as many people as they can, now, before offering up the second jab.

I dont mind waiting longer for the second jab if the effectiveness of the first jab doesn't diminish/expire. As long as I'm told....

Booked my parents through a specific hospital system in CT because they book the second appt for you while you receive the first dose. Peace of mind for sure. The other vaccine sources in the state are not doing that so it’s a mad scramble for most.

OP in which state do you live?

My parents got their first shots this week, they where scheduled for their second round before they left the building.

R8, TN

Just one dose of Moderna/Pfizer gives a pretty high level of protection. Honestly we probably should have followed the UK's strategy of getting as many people the first dose as possible.

In NY had an issue scheduling my second Moderna shot. Had to make my appointment in 5 weeks instead of the normal 4 weeks.

I’m in NYC. My partner and mom each signed up for the second dose the day they got the first one, and they both got the second one last week. But now it’s next to impossible to sign up for a first dose anywhere (I have an autoimmune disease that was later deemed adequate to get the vaccine). I have an appointment for March 9 but am a bit skeptical that it will happen.

I received my second Pfizer shot today at noon. I scheduled this appointment three weeks ago when I received my first shot and aside from some lousy weather in NYC, today went off without a hitch.

I'll get the vaccine, but I'll wait until later this year. Hopefully, things will be more organized and it's easier to get it. I would be nice if CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid could administer it...like the flu shot.

Are you kidding? I can't even get a first shot! (And I'm over 65, with both diabetis and HBP.). I'm not fat though...if anything, I could use some extra pounds.

So, since antibodies from the Pfizer vaccine only last up to 3 months and they can’t even stock enough supplies to get people their second required dosage to confer that much protection, how is this going to work? Realistically, everyone needs to be revaccinated every 4 months, minimum.

[quote]It would be nice if CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid could administer it.

I got my first shot at a Rite Aid in Pittsburgh. I'm an ancientgay.

Not yet here in New Jersey...not in my area anyway R18. You're lucky.

That's the problem. There's no coordination throughout the country...even in the states. Some areas are easier to get it...others are difficult. I had to register for the vaccine, which I did. Now I have to wait to be notified.

If you’re in NYC and Brooklyn in particular, check Walgreens online. Many stores are listing appointments available.

I checked Walgreens in my area, central NJ. I got the message: not available...check later. I'll wait until later this year.

Thank you anyway, R21.

[quote]So, since antibodies from the Pfizer vaccine only last up to 3 months and they can’t even stock enough supplies to get people their second required dosage to confer that much protection, how is this going to work? Realistically, everyone needs to be revaccinated every 4 months, minimum.

None of this is true.

If you are in Brooklyn, NY a new vaccination center is opening on 2/24 at Medgar Evers College. A friend was able to get an appointment late last week for this coming Thursday. You need to live in one of the zip codes listed below.

I’ll post the zip codes for a new site opening at York College.

York College zip codes in the article below

[quote] None of this is true.

Actually, it is.

If I need to get re-vaccinated in four months, I will. Perhaps it will be one shot by then. I’ll wait for the scientists to provide the answers.

I do know that I feel more at ease now, having received both shots.

I had my first puncture on 2/10 and they scheduled me that day for the second on 3/9. I certainly hope nothing screws that up.

R24, all of it is true. Do some reading. You’re woefully uneducated about something that can kill you.

My 80 year old Mother with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and on dialysis has not had a shot yet. The dialysis center told the patients they would be high up the list. Still waiting. She had a virtual appt with her Primary Thursday and she was shocked my mother had not gotten a vaccine yet. She put her on her priority list. One thing is my mother's PCP is part of large hospital system, so that should help.

Can’t get an appointment for my bf’s 94 year old mother in NY. Weather is lousy but hope she can be fully vaccinated by the spring.

I am in NC. Our local convention center has been set up for mass vaccinations. I got my first Pfizer vaccine two weeks ago and had an appointment for the booster before I left. I was able to call the hotline and have the schedule moved forward a few days since I am due to be deployed.

It's a very well organized program.

R17, R30, etc stop spreading misinformation about the vaccine. It’s true that since the vaccines are new, there is some question about how long they last (only because we’re doing this real time), but no study or reputable outlet is saying only three months. That’s totally and unequivocally untrue. There is some thought we might have to be vaccinated yearly like the flu, but there’s also evidence that the vaccine effects could last 2-3 years.

Is there any reason that they aren't using Churches and closed Airport Terminal Buildings as vaccination centers in the US?

Are the military helping with the roll out as they are in other Countries?

California here.

I just scheduled my jabs today. The first one is Wednesday, the second is three weeks from Wednesday. You schedule both appointments at the same time. They emailed and texted me the QR codes within seconds of submitting my request.

R34 It's possible that the virus will weaken and become less deadly with successive mutations, flip of a coin really though.

The main impediment to vaccine distribution has been the limited supply r35. Nothing can help that.

We are trying to manufactor more, but right now demand is exponentially higher than supply.

R38 That's not a problem that we're having in the UK, they are leaking plans to start child vaccinations here. We're governed by the reaction in The Sun and Daily Mail comment sections currently.

From Goodrx:

How long does vaccine-induced immunity last? When you receive a vaccine, your immune system follows the same process to develop immunity as it does when you are sick. The same three cells discussed above — macrophages, B cells, and T cells — play the same roles. But the biggest benefit of vaccines is that your body learns how to protect you from a virus or bacteria without you getting sick.

As mentioned earlier, some vaccine-induced immunity lasts for a long time and some does not. Everyone hopes the COVID-19 vaccines will provide long-lasting immunity. However, researchers don’t know if this will be the case. Some believe the vaccines currently available will provide protection for quite some time. Others think the immunity will wear off relatively quickly and require a shot every year.

Only time will tell for sure. Remember, although this type of vaccine has been in development for many years, both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna started their phase 3 vaccine trials for COVID-19 in July 2020. So, as of right now, they’ve only been following participants for about 6 months. Both companies intend to follow the participants for 2 years in order to determine if the vaccines’ protection wears off at all.

Regardless, it is much safer to get the vaccine than to get sick with COVID-19, even if the protection isn’t lifelong.

I'm in Texas. I registered with my county health department on Dec 29. I was called on Jan 5 and received my first Moderna dose on Jan 6. I was told at that time that my second dose would be 28 days later on Feb 3. I was called on Feb 2 to confirm my appointment for the second dose on Feb 3. My county has been pretty organized and efficient in their distribution.

[quote][R17], [R30], etc stop spreading misinformation about the vaccine. It’s true that since the vaccines are new, there is some question about how long they last (only because we’re doing this real time), but no study or reputable outlet is saying only three months. That’s totally and unequivocally untrue. There is some thought we might have to be vaccinated yearly like the flu, but there’s also evidence that the vaccine effects could last 2-3 years.

Thanks. r34. r30 keeps spouting off words as facts, but doesn't post links to support them. r30 saying "Do some reading" sounds a bit like QAnon saying "Do your research".

My second shot happened right on schedule. The county emailed me the week before with the dates and times available.

When I made an appointment for my elderly mom’s vaccinations through her doctor, it included booking dates at her county’s site for both the first and the second shot in one phone call.

I live 6 miles from the hospital which serves the entire NW of PA with multiple hospitals. They always have commercials which show them being innovative and ahead of the rest. One friend traveled 50 miles last week to get a shot at a different hospital and another friend got it in the pharmacy section of a local supermarket last week. Since I had the virus I am waiting to get it until most have gotten theirs. I don't know anyone that has gotten it at the hospital.

My parents are in Florida and they have had both of their shots at this point. There were no issues

They had a panel on NPR of doctors today and they were saying that if you find yourself in a position to get the vaccine, however it comes, just take it. Even if there are people that might need it more, the more people vaccinated the better. This is in LA, but regardless for where you live.