You cannot make an appointment.
This is what some people say they are being told when they call the state’s vaccine hotline, although state officials said on Monday that the system was installed to help them secure a spot.
Representatives did not say that the nominations were not available because they were all scheduled, frustrated people told NJ Advance Media. But instead, the callers said they were told that employees were unable to make appointments.
The confusion comes after Department of Health commissioner Judy Persichilli said at the governor’s coronavirus briefing on Monday that the hotline has started making appointments.
She said more than 600 appointments had been made on the hotline since Wednesday. Over the weekend, she said, the call center answered more than 16,000 calls, registered 514 people with the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS) and made appointments for 286 people.
“They started scheduling the first dose last Wednesday,” said Persichilli, noting that she was not sure if the second dose was being scheduled.
Faisel Muhammad of South Brunswick said he called the hotline on Tuesday and was refused.
“The person told me to wait for the second email after registering with NJVSS, which would have a link to set up an appointment,” said Muhammad. “No phone calls.”
Carol Rayside said that when she called, a representative said that “they can only register people and cannot make appointments”.
Vincent Tamburro said his mother, who is over 65, called the hotline and a representative told her “they don’t know why they can’t schedule anything”. And when he tried the hotline, the representative said he couldn’t even get into the scheduling system.
“We are getting extremely frustrated,” said the Wanaque man.
Jane, 72, who declined to provide her last name, said she had called the hotline several times.
“I was initially informed that there were operators to register and others to schedule appointments,” she said. “Once, I was on hold for about an hour waiting for an appointment operator, but I was disconnected. (During) another call, I was informed that it was incorrect. They just register. “
When asked about the complaints, a spokeswoman did not answer questions about what the representatives were supposed to be saying, but said the vaccine supply was limited and demand was high.
“As the commissioner said at the briefing (on Monday), calls are going through, people are being registered and nominations have been made to eligible individuals,” said spokeswoman Nancy Kearney. “As the offer increases, more consultations will be available.”
She said the call center has the same scheduling access that is available to the public, but they can see all appointments available in the state at once.
“As we continue to receive more vaccines from the federal government in the coming months, we anticipate that more consultations will be available through the call center,” said Kearney.
Other hotline users have reported other problems, including problems with the automated system.
Jack, from Hunterdon County, who declined to give his last name, said that when he called, the system said to press one if he is already registered and wants to make an appointment.
“You were told to wait for a representative, so once you didn’t respond, hang up and call back. What a joke, ”he said. “To think that someone is going to speak to them when they are told to, please wait for the next repetition, then silence, and the recording says that as YOU didn’t answer, they hang up. You don’t have a question to answer! “
Others said they were on standby for 45 minutes or more and then were suddenly disconnected.
The call center, which operates from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week, can be reached by calling (855) 568-0545.
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Karin Price Mueller can be contacted at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com.