On Friday, we went with Buzz reader Bill Simon (65+ but not by much!) to get a COVID-19 vaccine and to check out the process and how long it would take. All together, door to door, it took two and a half hours; not as bad as some wait times we’d heard about earlier this week.
According to LAist, operations at Dodger Stadium have become progressively more efficient. As a result, wait times are significantly shorter for those who are able to get appointments. In the first few days, not everyone realized they needed an appointment and staff tried to accommodate them, which added significant delays.
“We tried to accommodate as many of these elderly people as we could. And it just became a hindrance. Today [Thursday] we’re trying to streamline our efforts and abide by appointments only,” Bob Ortiz of the LA Fire Department, who is managing the site, told LAist.
Once we arrived, we followed the maze of cones directing traffic into various lines. The first checkpoint asks how many people in the vehicle have appointments, from there you are directed into lines where cars are grouped into “pods” of 5-6 cars. That’s where we waited the longest, about an hour. Once our pod moved up, a healthcare worker checked the list for Simon’s name (she found it and he didn’t need to show the registration QR code he’d downloaded), and then a technician followed shortly thereafter to administer the vaccine. Once all the people in the cars in the pod were vaccinated, the pod was held for another 15 minutes or so to make sure there’s no immediate negative reaction to the vaccine. After that, we were released, drove off, and the next pod of cars took our spot. It seemed like there were dozens of line of pods stretched accross the parking lot.
The healthcare workers are very professional, very polite and cheerful. They deliver the vaccine right to car, and to your arm of choice, quickly and painlessly. In addition, they give you a card with information about when and how to make an appointment to get the second dose of the vaccine. And yes, there are portable bathrooms for those who need them, however, everyone is encouraged to stay in their cars and wear masks.
Simon made his appointment on the Carbon Health website on Tuesday of this week. However, as of this writing, the site is no longer accepting new appointments. When we checked Friday afternoon, we got the following message: “We’re currently processing existing appointments and not taking new appointments. Please check back at a later time to book new appointments.”
So the good news is that the wait time is much improved. But the bad news is the city and the county need more vaccine and more staff to really handle the job. The city’s goal is to vaccinate 12,000 people a day at the site. It is doable, if they have staff and doses. Our technician said she had vaccinated 300 people so far that day.
This is exactly the kind of reporting you should be doing. Thank you very much. Also, we found out that if you get the not processing appointments message, you can just go back later or the next day.
The entire process yesterday from the time I entered the Golden State Gate at the stadium, to my exit from same, was 45 minutes . Had a 3 pm appointment but got there two hours early because I had heard some of those horror stories if five hour waits. It was not an issue. I did show my QR code.
Great organizing! Positive vibes!
Very surprised as confusion was expected but nope, everything great. Got there at 11. AM. Vaccinated at 1150 A M. Appt for 1200 noon! Thank you to the team that made this possible!
We did the same as Suzanne took my parents extra early because we thought of the 5 hour wait. It was not the case at all. They arrived at 2:45 for a 4 pm appointment done by 3;30 including the 15 minute observation time. Thank you for all your hard work!!!!
May I know what exit should i get off ? Because the public website said Academy road, Gate C, but Carbon health website show 1000 Vin Scully way, LA. Where is Gate A. I am confused. I need to bring my parents there Saturday.
Of course! We followed the directions to Academy Road and were directed into the stadium. You can’t really miss it. There’s lots staff directing traffic. Good luck, I hope your appointment goes smoothly!
My 98 year old Mom and I had an appt. On Sat. It took 2 hours total….but we were not given a card regarding our second vaccine…… ????????