Should I take mom to a mass vaccination site in NYC or wait for a more private appointment?

Just to add, my friend whose 100 year old mom is housebound will be vaccinated at home with the one dose J&J vaccine by the Home Health Agency that provides her aides.

My Mom is in AL in VA and sailed through both Pfizer shots. The Pfizer’s low temp storage requirement has been changed to just regular refrigeration, which should help with distribution.
Why not go, and if it seems unsafe you can cancel? Hopefully you’ll sail right through, as they should have had plenty of time to work out the logistics.

I was vaccinated yesterday at a very busy Metropolitan area public site, and the lines moved swiftly and wheel chair using clients were treated with appropriate respect.

If you have a TIMED appointment you may be surprised how well the timing is respected and managed.

I think I spent about 6 minutes standing outside. Everything inside moved like clockwork.

Send, our temps were taken before vaccination.

My brother and his wife were recently vaccinated. No one took their temperature.

Thinking out loud.

Seems dangerous to get a vaccination if one could already have Covid. Screening for a high temperature would eliminate more of the risk, imo.

I don't think anyone has brought this up, but without opening a can of worms, I would at least consider the pros and cons of giving a fast-tracked 2-part "vaccine" to an almost 90 year old woman. Is your mom in a private home or care facility? Certainly if she is in a private home I would think long and hard. She is obviously sheltered and protected, so I personally would at least wait a bit to see if there is any fallout from the vaccine as it is distributed further. If she is in a care facility, the situation is a little different and the vaccine may even be required. Not telling you what to do. Just saying that if it were my mom I would think long and hard. Just because a medication is available doesn't mean you should take it, especially one with so many unknowns. Best wishes.

Update from my friend who took her blind, 85 year old dad to a vaccination site yesterday (Worth Street in Lower Manhattan). Waiting was indoors, plenty of chairs, everyone was kind and helpful. It was a very positive experience for my friend and her family. Hope that helps!

??? Individual health needs, practical logistics and comparative risk assessment? I certainly wouldn't ask a politician.

I'm assuming (but I think it's a fair assumption) that your system will be broadly similar to ours, and that all of these mass vaccination clinics are being run on the same lines: your appointment will be a 20 minute time slot which allows for 15 minutes post-jab observation; you will be in and out of there like can of peas on a production line. Just don't be late! - but avoid arriving early, too, which I know is tricky. How will you be getting her there?

We were sat in the sports hall of a large leisure centre, on plastic school chairs which we were given wipes to wipe down after we got up. All of the doors were open for ventilation so yes it was FREEZING - make sure she's got a good coat, warm hat and boots and gloves, but underneath have her clothing loose enough to pull down from her shoulder.

Ring the centre and ask about accompanying her - if you have or can borrow a wheelchair so much the better. Or you might find there's a FAQ section on a website somewhere: who's organising the centres?

WIC, Shingles is a two dose vaccine. For me the first one was ok. The booster kinda knocked me for a loop.

I'm in NYC. I have friends who got elderly parents vaccinated today with no issues.

I think by Friday, you should be able to scope out what the situation is at the site where you have your appointment.

We are waiting for our 90 year old mom until there is an orderly way to get her vaccinated. She can't even stand in line at CVS!

In the suburbs, they do have vaccinations available on a drive through basis. My sister is looking into that. We could do that for her.

I would wait and make an appointment with her doctors office when the vaccine becomes available. I would not expose my 98 year old mother to the long lines and cold weather.

Take her. You are her means of mobility so you shouldn't be separated from her. There may never be a private appointment available anywhere.

Mhillwt, if your Mom has a regular primary doctor, call to see if he/she will be giving out the vaccines.

My primary doctor had called us, and she plans to get her shipment sometime in the near future. She only schedules one client at a time, so no lines or sitting with a lot of other people in the waiting room.

I rather get the vaccine through her, then deal with trying to schedule appointments through the county health center, stand in long lines which are hard on me, and possibly being infected by someone not knowing they have the virus.

I doubt there is a plan yet. NYC just got approval to even vaccinate your mother! The previous plan was a farce and results in a lot of vaccines being thrown out.

Call the health department. There must be some plan. Can she get it at a nearby nursing home?