Residents disappointed with COSA registration process for Covid-19 vaccine

Santo António – Thousands of residents were disappointed on Saturday morning after learning that all 9,000 vacancies were filled within minutes after trying to register online for the Covid-19 vaccine at the Alamodome vaccination site.

“At 8:58, 8:59, I had coffee in my hand, sitting in front of the computer, all set with my hands on the keyboard ready to log in,” said Arlene Converse, 71. “I logged in and the site doesn’t load and so around 9:02, he loaded it and when it did, bam! Immediately, the record is full. “

The 9,000 places available for the next week were filled six minutes after registration opened, according to city officials. More than 11,000 people were on the city’s registration site when it opened at 9am.

The Alamodome vaccination post will begin administering the vaccines on Monday.

Converse became eligible to receive the vaccine after Phase 1B was implemented on January 4. She has been struggling to get close to the vaccine.

“I was extremely ready and excited when I heard about this registration process,” said Converse. “I felt like they finally hit the nail on the head. This was what everyone wanted, but it also seemed to fail again. “

She said it was an uphill battle to go through the other stages.

“We tried everything when they launched the layout in San Antonio,” said Converse. “No one answered the phone. None of the sites would work. They have not been configured for any queries or records. Any calls we made the previous week failed. They were overwhelmed, so they were unable to answer all calls and the sites were not set up to answer questions. “

Converse said she had a moment of hope, but that went south, too.

“I was able to speak to a person on the phone on January 4,” said Converse. “A real human being. Come and find out, I wasn’t the first to answer, so they said I couldn’t do it. I mention to the lady that I had the same eligibility as a rescuer since January 4, but they didn’t want to. This increased the frustration. “

Converse said his biggest problem is that there seems to be a lack of communication.

“We have no idea of ​​the situation at all,” said Converse. “We are very disappointed because there is no one to talk to or ask for information. I know that some places are upset because people are showing up and lining up without calling, but they are doing it because no one is answering the phone. They hope to get information or possibly get a vaccination. ”

Converse said that getting the COVID-19 vaccine is very important to her.

“Getting the vaccine means I can get on with my life,” said Converse. “I spent a year of my life isolated. I haven’t been with my grandchildren. I spent Christmas alone. I didn’t go anywhere on Thanksgiving. I had a friend who invited me, but I didn’t go. They convinced us that if we go out and go anywhere, we will be so susceptible to catching the virus, so it is important for me to continue with my life to get back in touch with the people I care about and be able to see them. “

She said she encourages everyone to try to get the vaccine too.

“Even though many people are hesitant to receive this vaccine, which I understand perfectly. I am not excited to receive any vaccine, but I am excited to have the opportunity to have a vaccine that would take us back to a normal lifestyle. “

Converse said she is especially concerned about the elderly during this process.

“I work full time, I’m 71, I’m healthy and I’m a tech person,” said Converse. “But there are many elderly people who have no experience in technology. They cannot download applications on their phones or enter the computer to sign in. This then falls on your grandchildren, but it can be difficult because your family members have their own lives and jobs and things to worry about. Communication is broken. There must be a better way for them to register. “

As more vaccines arrive in the city of San Antonio and Bexar County, more registration slots will be available. For now, city officials are encouraging patients among residents as more vaccines are made available.

“We received 187,000 calls and an impressive amount of visits to the site at 9 am today,” said city manager Erik Walsh in a statement. “Thank you for your patience. We understand that some may be frustrated that there are no more doses available, but we are sending the message to state leaders that we are equipped to deliver each dose that we receive. We hope to start operations on Monday and we will keep the community informed as we receive more information from the state ”.

Those who are eligible to receive the vaccines include healthcare professionals and residents in long-term care facilities, known as Phase 1A and Phase 1B, which includes residents over 65 years of age or residents 16 and over with a condition chronic medical.

These chronic medical conditions include: cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), heart disease, solid organ transplantation, severe obesity and obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease and type 2 diabetes.

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