By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
Stress and aggravation are the hallmarks of the quest to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Dosage shortages, delivery delays due to weather and inconsistent and often confusing websites can leave those trying to get the much-coveted vaccine feeling helpless.
Now municipalities, friends and good Samaritans are helping those struggling to get appointments for vaccinations.
Two Rumson women discovered from their parents and older neighbors how frustrating the process of securing an appointment can be. But with a few tips, nimble fingers on the keyboard and a passion to help as many seniors as they can score a vaccine, the women have helped community members take that first step to getting back to their lives.
Courtney and her friend Carley, who do not want to use their real names because they have been overwhelmed by requests, became involved when Courtney’s father in Florida was having trouble getting an appointment. “I went to Facebook and looked for tips,” she said. With perseverance and some luck, she got him an appointment a two-hour drive from his home.
Shortly after, “his friend called and said ‘I heard you had some good luck.’ ”
Next thing she knew, she and Carley were booking relatives, parents of their friends and friends of their parents.
Working from their homes, the duo – parents of teenagers – joined Facebook groups, signed up for Twitter alerts that let them know when a list opens and accumulated a treasure trove of helpful hints for securing appointments.
It became an all-consuming mission; dinners were late, chores neglected, alarms set at 4:45 a.m. to try for a spot on a list that opens at 5 a.m., as they each manned four devices, “phone, laptop, kids’ computers, everything we had,” Courtney said.
“And we spent hours in front of the computer refreshing and refreshing,” said Carley.
The two moms have booked appointments for more than 50 people so far; although Courtney said, “We’re retired now.
“I had to take a step back – this is a full-time job.”
Most requests are for a vaccination site close to home, but the women know there are more options available if they expand the search throughout the state. They have booked appointments for local residents in hospitals, schools, pharmacies and other locations from Atlantic City to Paramus to Paterson to Glassboro.
“The question we first ask is: How far are you willing to travel?” Courtney said.
“One gentleman had just gotten over two broken ankles. He had only one specific place he could go,” said Carley.
“The problem is it’s all online signups,” Courtney said. “There are only a few places where you can call,” which can be an issue for seniors not comfortable getting online.
Even when seniors have access to a computer they may not be savvy enough to navigate the process. “And if you’re talking about a certain age group, they don’t even know what a refresh button is.”
The frustration can be staggering. “You can sign up for alerts but often by the time you get the alert, the appointments are gone in a minute,” she said. “You have to be so fast.”
“All of the seniors that I’ve booked tell me they’ve registered with the state and they’re waiting for that appointment,” Courtney said. “They don’t know that there are other places where they can try.”
“It’s a sad process,” said Carley. “There’s a whole generation of people who don’t have computers and they’re really scared to be anywhere instead of home. It’s supposed to be the best time of their lives and they’re locked up.”
Challenges keep popping up, too. Categories expanded and more New Jersey residents became eligible before many seniors could be vaccinated.
The two accumulated tips and tricks for scheduling: set up autofill so information is ready to be input; some sites allow you to skip the insurance details so click “no insurance” and you can always add that information when you go for the appointment; take photos of your insurance card and driver’s license so that information is always at hand; sometimes you can enter a site through another state’s list and then find an appointment in your own state.
Part of the problem, Courtney said is “there’s no communication” and no consistency, she said. Sites open at different times. “Rite Aid opens at midnight; CVS at 4:45 in the morning,” she said. The two took turns setting their alarms for both opening times. “We’re exhausted all the time.”
There are groups, such as ones on Facebook, where volunteers will aid in the appointment search. But as Courtney points out, “You’re giving your information to people you don’t know. That’s a risk.”
But, she said, most people are really trying to help. “I am so happy for the people we’ve booked,” she said. “My mom’s friend started crying when we told her she has an appointment.”
“This gives people hope after a year of having this kind of despair.”
Courtney said she has heard discouraging comments, such as, “We’ve been living with this for nearly a year, what’s waiting a few more months?” But Courtney doesn’t want them to wait if they don’t have to.
“We’re talking about people who haven’t seen their families in a year,” Courtney said. “They just want to hug their grandchildren.”
In Holmdel Mayor Gregory Buontempo started getting email requests from senior citizens who were having problems getting a vaccination appointment.
“They didn’t have computers, or the internet or were too ill or physically unable to register themselves and they have to go through this fairly cumbersome process to get a vaccination,” said Buontempo.
“I had people who were literally crying. They were afraid to leave their house. Some had been living here for 50 to 60 years. Now a vaccine is here but they cannot register for it. They’re afraid they’re never going to see their families. They were scared and they felt alone. They felt like they had no support.”
Buontempo and the administration approached Visiting Nurse Association Health Group in Holmdel, which was starting its vaccination program at Bellworks, and proposed a partnership.
Working with the township’s Office of Emergency Management and utilizing the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT), volunteers visited the homes of those who needed help securing appointments. Armed with tablets and Chromebooks, the vetted volunteers collected the necessary information and filed it with the VNA. Then the VNA contacted the residents for an appointment.
“This program has made a huge impact on a lot of people’s lives,” said Buontempo, who also said transportation to vaccination sites was also offered for those without the means to get there. He’s been contacted by mayors from other towns to share what he has learned. “I really want this to help as many people as possible.”
Newly vaccinated Bob and Maryanne Mika were two of the first Holmdel residents signed up through the program and are extremely grateful.
“I was on that computer constantly,” said Maryanne about her attempts at booking her own vaccination appointment. “It was worse than a full-time job. I would be on and it would knock me off. I threw my hands up in the air. I was in tears – for myself and for Bob. I didn’t know which way to turn.”
They reached out to the mayor and asked what the township was doing for seniors. They said they greatly appreciated the CERT volunteer who came to their home to input their information.
“He was good,” said Bob. “He sat with us for 20 minutes,” downloading their licenses and Medicare cards. “Within a day and half of the paperwork, we got an appointment for Bellworks. Five minutes from our home. I have to applaud the effort.”
Now that they’re vaccinated Bob said he’s hopeful restaurants and schools can open up fully and life can get back to some sort of normal. “It brings about peace of mind.”
As for Maryanne, she said after weathering this year, as soon as she’s able, “I want to go to Aruba.”
The article originally appeared in the March 4 – 10, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
