TXTransplant said:

---

This is anecdotal, but I just got a text from my dad. He and my mom are both patients at Houston Methodist. They are both over 65. He got a text saying he can schedule his appt; she hasn't gotten one, yet.

She's a year older than he is, but he has a pre-existing.

So, this tells me hospitals are prioritizing based on age and medical conditions. Hospitals can do that because they have access to your health info.

Public health organizations cannot practically screen for pre-existing conditions. And I don't think they should be expected to. Since age isn't the only qualifier right now, you've got to figure people who should be lower priority are going to get their shots ahead of those who are higher priority. Honestly, I don't have a problem with that, especially since public health distribution sites aren't the only place you can get a vaccination.

To me, this isn't a problem that needs to be fixed.

The new Harris County site is no longer scheduling appointments. You get on a wait list and they will contact you to schedule. It says they are prioritizing based on status 1A first, and then 1B by age. Who knows if that's actually how it will work, but that's what it says.

The issue with 1B is there is no guidance on how to prioritize. If you have one shot, do you give it to a 70 year old with no preexistings (other than age) or a 55 year old diabetic? Both are equally qualified under the current distribution guidelines.

---

The problem is they have no idea if a person over 65 has a preexisting condition the way registration is set up. I am 70 and had been on meds for hypertension for 50 years. When I was registering I checked 1b for over 65 not 1b for over 16 with preexisting condition because i thought being over 65 would be enough priority. It is obviously they are putting more emphasis on preexisting than age when scheduling.

This is baffling to me because age is much easier to quickly check than a preexisting condition.

I registered Jan10 in Tarrant County. I agree it is important to get the most people vaccinated to open things up, but the morbidity is so much higher among my age group with or without preexisting. I have signed up in multiple locations, I am retired so am available to go get it anytime, but I thought I would be getting a call from the Tarrant Hub first since they get the bulk of the vaccines.

GAC06 said:

---

DeangeloVickers said:

---

Shaming those who get it should not be allowed.

---

People lying to cut the line ahead of people more at risk absolutely deserve shame for their shameful action

---

Except it happens and my own friends have done it. Yours will or already have too. These are good people with no real pre-existing conditions. Again, in many cases they are involved and see family members who are at risk and either their job allowed for it or they were married to someone connected so they went ahead and took advantage. To me, they are no different than the guy in the checkout line at the grocery store who the pharmacist offers a shot too as to not waste the vaccine. Would one turn it down to allow for the pharmacist to move on to one who might be more at risk or do you just go for it and get it over with. In many cases, it's the first step that they can take to finally seeing loved ones again. I can't judge them personally.

And it's not that simple as "lying" as the ones who have had it so far said that they were not really questioned much about what grouping that they belonged to. Again, what would they ask and what proof do they need? I have ulcerative colitis. I take Remicade which qualifies me. Yet I carry no card or letter stating as such. I guess my doctor could write a letter but they have more important things to attend to then sending out letters to all their patients. Plus, even my doctor leaves it up to us.

And, some may think I am cutting even though I am officially 1B. I just had Covid and it was, thank God, very mild. So at least I have a few months of some sort of immunity. But I am scheduled for my Remicade next week. That will blast my immune system. Yet I will look like I am fine and wouldn't need it. I get that you aren't talking about me here but as was mentioned, who is or is not 1B could be a matter for debate. I am shocked teachers are in 1C. I'd argue that schools are even more critical than nursing homes as in many states, schools remaining closed are having a very serious amount of various health issues related to kids being forced to stay at home. If teachers being vaccinated completely opened schools in those states, this would dramatically improve the health of our youth. How many abuse cases now go unnoticed, how many kids are having grade issues that could effect what college or career they would like to go to or go into? How many cases of suicide could be avoided and depression discovered? As many states have decided to keep schools closed, there are health concerns ongoing that many would argue are as bad or worse than Covid as it effects our future and the health of children directly. I know my own 80+ year old parents want what is best for their grandchildren and do not mind waiting for the vaccine to ensure more normalcy for their grandchildren.

Quote:

---

It's not

---

I know you have direct observational evidence, but we have to be careful extrapolating that out to the tens of thousands of locations all over the country that are trying to vaccinate millions of people.

I have no doubt that "use-it-or-lose it" situations explain some of these instances, but you can't summarily dismiss all the other very likely or even admitted scenarios where people are gaming the system.

Windy City Ag said:

---

Quote:

---

It's not

---

I know you have direct observational evidence, but we have to be careful extrapolating that out to the tens of thousands of locations all over the country that are trying to vaccinate millions of people.

I have no doubt that "use-it-or-lose it" situations explain some of these instances, but you can't summarily dismiss all the other very likely or even admitted scenarios where people are gaming the system.

---

I know of 10 different retail pharmacy locations in Austin where this has happened in the last 3 weeks. That's strong evidence.

Instructions have come down what to do at the end of the day with extra vaccines in the vials. It's no secret.

This can't be isolated.

Yes people are gaming the system. But that's not what your original post was about. It was about people who aren't over 65 or have conditions getting vaccines because pharmacies and hospitals needed to use them. Someone getting a vaccine because it needs to be used or it's wasted is fine. Scheming the system or skipping lines is not.

But as I stated in my original response, anyone getting the vaccine right now is good for the population. I hate that people are skipping over older people waiting, but at least they're technically helping build herd immunity when they do it.

aginlakeway said:

---

BadMoonRisin said:

---

The simple explanation is that they were looking for it. They dont just shoot you in the arm while you wait at a red light. They had to get online, ask if there is availability, make an appointment, wait in line, and get it.

All this other nonsense about the vials is malarkey. There wasn't some guy in a trench coat on the street corner that said "hey man, I got these open vials, want a vaccine? It's cool, the vial was already open".

Now why are healthy 40 somethings seeking out the vaccine? Because they are overestimating their risk factors and are scared because the media has been intentionally dishonest about how this disease affects mostly healthy population.

---

No it is not. First-hand knowledge.

Vials of 10 vaccines have leftover amounts if people don't show up for appointments. The vaccine has a very narrow shelf life. They have to be used or thrown away. They are thus being used on anyone the doctor or pharmacist can find ASAP.

There is usually not enough time to call people who were "next up" and ask them to come in. Nor is there time to go to a senior citizens home at find some arms to poke. So people close by are getting the vaccine. Or it is getting throw away.

What I am stating is 100% fact. First-hand knowledge. And yes, I have been vaccinated.

---

The chemistry of this seems odd. Assuming a first order decay, there's no off switch for efficacy. There should be more leeway on this storage time - seems like a bureaucratic deadline.

94chem said:

---

aginlakeway said:

---

BadMoonRisin said:

---

The simple explanation is that they were looking for it. They dont just shoot you in the arm while you wait at a red light. They had to get online, ask if there is availability, make an appointment, wait in line, and get it.

All this other nonsense about the vials is malarkey. There wasn't some guy in a trench coat on the street corner that said "hey man, I got these open vials, want a vaccine? It's cool, the vial was already open".

Now why are healthy 40 somethings seeking out the vaccine? Because they are overestimating their risk factors and are scared because the media has been intentionally dishonest about how this disease affects mostly healthy population.

---

No it is not. First-hand knowledge.

Vials of 10 vaccines have leftover amounts if people don't show up for appointments. The vaccine has a very narrow shelf life. They have to be used or thrown away. They are thus being used on anyone the doctor or pharmacist can find ASAP.

There is usually not enough time to call people who were "next up" and ask them to come in. Nor is there time to go to a senior citizens home at find some arms to poke. So people close by are getting the vaccine. Or it is getting throw away.

What I am stating is 100% fact. First-hand knowledge. And yes, I have been vaccinated.

---

The chemistry of this seems odd. Assuming a first order decay, there's no off switch for efficacy. There should be more leeway on this storage time - seems like a bureaucratic deadline.

---

Well my wife is the pharmacist. And that's what she tells me. So that's all I know.

I can also assure you she is FAR from a bureaucrat. She just doesn't want shots wasted.

Quote:

---

But that's not what your original post was about. It was about people who aren't over 65 or have conditions getting vaccines because pharmacies and hospitals needed to use them.

---

That is actually not what my original post was about at all . . . . I maybe worded it poorly but I said I found it very dubious that an individual and that person's wife received access to the vaccine due to some end of day shortage rather than the fact that they donate money and serve on the board of that local hospital.

I said I found it strange that certain optometrists get the vaccine when the whole of their practice is contact lenses and trifocals.

I found it odd that my wife's relative's frat brother who runs a pharmacy called him rather than all sorts of other at need people.

I very specifically said these people admittedly do not have conditions that would merit any sort of special treatment

Hence my question if this chaos begs reform or another approach.

Windy City Ag said:

---

Quote:

---

But that's not what your original post was about. It was about people who aren't over 65 or have conditions getting vaccines because pharmacies and hospitals needed to use them.

---

That is actually not what my original post was about at all . . . . I maybe worded it poorly but I said I found it very dubious that an individual and that person's wife received access to the vaccine due to some end of day shortage rather than the fact that they donate money and serve on the board of that local hospital.

I said I found it strange that certain optometrists get the vaccine when the whole of their practice is contact lenses and trifocals.

I found it odd that my wife's relative's frat brother who runs a pharmacy called him rather than all sorts of other at need people.

I very specifically said these people admittedly do not have conditions that would merit any sort of special treatment

Hence my question if this chaos begs reform or another approach.

---

It's not what you know ...

Quote:

---

The chemistry of this seems odd. Assuming a first order decay, there's no off switch for efficacy. There should be more leeway on this storage time - seems like a bureaucratic deadline.

---

A label that states that the drug must be discarded six hours after first being opened is pretty common for injectable drugs that do not contain a preservative in their formulation. This is due to the risk of contamination when puncturing the vial and withdrawing doses.

GAC06 said:

---

There's a big difference between happening to be in a grocery store when the pharmacist looks for volunteers and people advocating on this site to lie about health conditions to sign up.

The sad thing is a lot of these are the same people shaming people the last 10 months about how "we're all in this together". I guess not.

---

I might have missed this but have people on here advocated cutting in line? I think when they say the more arms the better they just mean they are looking for the silver lining as the hope is that each and every person vaccinated is a step closer to the spread stopping or slowing down. Not that people need to run out and lie on their application. I hope they don't advocate that.

GAC06 said:

---

Wicked Burn said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

DeangeloVickers said:

---

Shaming those who get it should not be allowed.

---

People lying to cut the line ahead of people more at risk absolutely deserve shame for their shameful action

---

That's clearly not what's happening.

The people who are angry on this thread really have no idea how these vaccine's expire and policies within the companies who can administer.

It's OK, not everyone is privy to that knowledge, but case in point: stop getting mad at people who have the vaccine. The more the better. Period.

---

Why do I need to say the same thing over and over? There are at risk people waiting while young healthy people lie to get vaccinated. It's not ok. I'm not talking about vaccine about to expire, and I've been very clear so I'm not sure how you still don't get it.

---

How do you know this is happening? That young, healthy people are lying.

GAC06 said:

---

Wicked Burn said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

DeangeloVickers said:

---

Shaming those who get it should not be allowed.

---

People lying to cut the line ahead of people more at risk absolutely deserve shame for their shameful action

---

That's clearly not what's happening.

The people who are angry on this thread really have no idea how these vaccine's expire and policies within the companies who can administer.

It's OK, not everyone is privy to that knowledge, but case in point: stop getting mad at people who have the vaccine. The more the better. Period.

---

Why do I need to say the same thing over and over? There are at risk people waiting while young healthy people lie to get vaccinated. It's not ok. I'm not talking about vaccine about to expire, and I've been very clear so I'm not sure how you still don't get it.

---

It's you who doesn't get it, and you probably never will. But again, that's OK. Not to be terribly condescending, but there is a reason you are not involved in vaccine distributions, because it would probably be even more of a mess than it already is.

aginlakeway said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

Wicked Burn said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

DeangeloVickers said:

---

Shaming those who get it should not be allowed.

---

People lying to cut the line ahead of people more at risk absolutely deserve shame for their shameful action

---

That's clearly not what's happening.

The people who are angry on this thread really have no idea how these vaccine's expire and policies within the companies who can administer.

It's OK, not everyone is privy to that knowledge, but case in point: stop getting mad at people who have the vaccine. The more the better. Period.

---

Why do I need to say the same thing over and over? There are at risk people waiting while young healthy people lie to get vaccinated. It's not ok. I'm not talking about vaccine about to expire, and I've been very clear so I'm not sure how you still don't get it.

---

How do you know this is happening? That young, healthy people are lying.

---

He doesn't, this is just another thing to be angry at for a lot of people. There isn't any truth other than anecdotal evidence like the OP.

GAC06 said:

---

Flagged for the ad hominem, which isn't surprising when you have no argument. There are tons of reports of people who don't meet the guidelines signing up without any proof and effectively are displacing people who need it more. I recognize it's a difficult task to distribute the vaccine and I'm not blaming the administrators, I'm blaming the selfish people. Sorry that gets you fired up. If you have nothing to offer but more personal attacks feel free to remain silent.

---

So you have seen this first-hand?

How do you know these are young, healthy people tat are lying?

Wicked Burn said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

Flagged for the ad hominem, which isn't surprising when you have no argument. There are tons of reports of people who don't meet the guidelines signing up without any proof and effectively are displacing people who need it more. I recognize it's a difficult task to distribute the vaccine and I'm not blaming the administrators, I'm blaming the selfish people. Sorry that gets you fired up. If you have nothing to offer but more personal attacks feel free to remain silent.

---

There was no attack, so I really couldn't care less. Lol.

You don't know what you're talking about. You have no evidence other than what you say you've read. That isn't evidence.

I know much more about this conundrum than you do, just like Lakeway. He and I both have first-hand knowledge about how this is being carried out. We both have spouses who administer. You don't.

---

Yes we do. It's been an interesting roll out so far.

Wicked Burn said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

Flagged for the ad hominem, which isn't surprising when you have no argument. There are tons of reports of people who don't meet the guidelines signing up without any proof and effectively are displacing people who need it more. I recognize it's a difficult task to distribute the vaccine and I'm not blaming the administrators, I'm blaming the selfish people. Sorry that gets you fired up. If you have nothing to offer but more personal attacks feel free to remain silent.

---

There was no attack, so I really couldn't care less. Lol.

You don't know what you're talking about. You have no evidence other than what you say you've read. That isn't evidence.

I know much more about this conundrum than you do, just like Lakeway. He and I both have first-hand knowledge about how this is being carried out. We both have spouses who administer. You don't.

---

People saying they signed up and got vaccinated without any proof of a comorbidity isn't evidence but your assurance that isn't happening because your wife is an administrator is? Makes perfect sense, I'm glad you know all about it.

Who are these people? Stories you hear on TexAgs?

And again, these people you keep referencing didn't skip anyone. People had leftover vaccines and needed to give them to someone in a hurry. They didn't cheat the system or push some old lady down to get her dose. It's not some big conspiracy.

Remember for every "tons of reports" there are far far far far more that you don't hear about that are following the rules and getting the vaccine as policy allows, because lets be honest, the story of a cool old lady getting the vaccine and getting her life back just isnt "news"...life is full of unfair bull**** and people who cheat the system, Covid is no exception. At the end of the day using the vaccine is meaningful vs disposing of them so if you can its best to just whatever to a lot of this.

GAC06 said:

---

Wicked Burn said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

Flagged for the ad hominem, which isn't surprising when you have no argument. There are tons of reports of people who don't meet the guidelines signing up without any proof and effectively are displacing people who need it more. I recognize it's a difficult task to distribute the vaccine and I'm not blaming the administrators, I'm blaming the selfish people. Sorry that gets you fired up. If you have nothing to offer but more personal attacks feel free to remain silent.

---

There was no attack, so I really couldn't care less. Lol.

You don't know what you're talking about. You have no evidence other than what you say you've read. That isn't evidence.

I know much more about this conundrum than you do, just like Lakeway. He and I both have first-hand knowledge about how this is being carried out. We both have spouses who administer. You don't.

---

People saying they signed up and got vaccinated without any proof of a comorbidity isn't evidence but your assurance that isn't happening because your wife is an administrator is? Makes perfect sense, I'm glad you know all about it.

---

I have not heard anything like this from someone who gives up to 20 vaccines/day. Do you have first-hand knowledge of this happening?

GAC06 said:

---

Wicked Burn said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

Flagged for the ad hominem, which isn't surprising when you have no argument. There are tons of reports of people who don't meet the guidelines signing up without any proof and effectively are displacing people who need it more. I recognize it's a difficult task to distribute the vaccine and I'm not blaming the administrators, I'm blaming the selfish people. Sorry that gets you fired up. If you have nothing to offer but more personal attacks feel free to remain silent.

---

There was no attack, so I really couldn't care less. Lol.

You don't know what you're talking about. You have no evidence other than what you say you've read. That isn't evidence.

I know much more about this conundrum than you do, just like Lakeway. He and I both have first-hand knowledge about how this is being carried out. We both have spouses who administer. You don't.

---

People saying they signed up and got vaccinated without any proof of a comorbidity isn't evidence but your assurance that isn't happening because your wife is an administrator is? Makes perfect sense, I'm glad you know all about it.

---

Never said all about it. Just know more than you about it!

To end this bickering; what a silly thing to be frustrated about. The much more logical thing to be upset about are the people who refuse to get the vaccine altogether for whatever ridiculous reason they can come up with i.e. Bill Gates, Autism, whatever.

ExpressAg11 said:

---

Who are these people? Stories you hear on TexAgs?

And again, these people you keep referencing didn't skip anyone. People had leftover vaccines and needed to give them to someone in a hurry. They didn't cheat the system or push some old lady down to get her dose. It's not some big conspiracy.

---

This dude clearly is not a big fan of reading. Seems like a lost cause. Oh well.