impressive screwing up (aus politics rant)

[tielan]

So, Australia has managed to keep COVID-19 cases down to a minumum.

We are, perhaps, a little paranoid about cases - less than five cases out in the community (in 25mil population) and people start wondering if a lockdown is imminent.

Sadly, however, our vaccination program is absolute and utter shite.

There's no information about the vaccination program to be found for love or money. No simple site that allows you to register, indicate your preference for a vaccine type (if you have one), and tell you when you can get an appointment based on your details.

Even the NSW Health Vaccination Site is a hot mess of wtf.

So, this morning I applied to get my shot: Astra Zeneca, because I'm health and more likely to get a blood clot from the pill (if I took it) and to get hit crossing the road (which I do a lot more often). NOPE. "You are not eligible for this vaccine at this time."

They did then point me to the same site and a Pfizer shot. Except...then I had to enter all my details over again. *facepalm* Which was bad enough. But I filled in all the fields with repeat information, then I got to the end and...NOPE. "You are not eligible for this vaccine at this time."

WTF NSW Health Vaccination? If I am under 50 years of age and willing to be vaxxed, just stick the freaking needle in and vaccinate me. I'm not even particularly fussy about which one. Like, Pfizer would be nice, but AZ will be fine. (Those are our only two options in Australia right now. I believe our PM has a buddy who's on the AZ board. And you think 'third world shithole countries' have corruption issues? AHAHAHAHA. Australia can hit it OUT OF THE BLOODY PARK when it comes to what we call "mates' rates" around here.)

I tried a 'popup clinic' that's a little further out than the 'mass vax site' in the centre of Sydney, but they basically took my number and will get back to me... That link I got from a friend via messenger.

I am not desperate to get a shot - I'm healthy, happy, living in a country which has barely been touched by the virus. I have a property that allows me to isolate in relative comfort when necessary. I don't work in an industry that requires frequent people contact or at-risk groups. I'm not in an at-risk group myself.

Sure, our quarantine system is shitty - one year after the pandemic we still don't have a decent federally-managed quarantine system, our 'quarantine' is still state-run and involves people staying in hotel rooms that are not at all designed to be low-pressure systems that keep air from easily exiting the room when the doors are opened for things to be delivered...

But, seriously, if I am willing and able and content to get whatever vaccination they offer, but they won't make me an appointment because I'm not 'eligible'? Never mind that our Federal Health Minster muddied the waters of the 'Pfizer vs AstraZeneca' argument, by firstly telling people to get whatever vaccination they could get ASAP but then adding that we'd have enough Pfizer for the over-50s by the end of the year... Like, mixed messaging, much?

AUGH.

Anyway, I guess I wait for someone to contact me about getting a jab. I'm not fussed about which one, my chances with a jab are better than without. And frankly, my odds of getting a blood clot are worse if I was on the pill. So.

Comments

[wpadmirer]

I hope you can get the vaccination. What a pain in the butt!

[tielan]

I will eventually get the vaccination, but...it's just such a PITA, and there's no federal organisation around it.

[velithya]

it's not better over here in WA... my BFF signed up to a hospital clinic for pfizer (and waited four weeks for the appt because of it) and was rung 2 hours before the appointment and told she would be refused the vaccine - despite being 1b eligible - because she wasn't a healthcare worker. who else are they going to give that booked injection to?? a random off the street??

(ETA: I should note this was back in April, IDK if things have improved since then though)

[tielan]

Yeah, it's just nuts. I have friends all over Sydney getting the shots at the mass vax centre in Sydney, but when I try it's all NOPE.

So tiring. And particularly annoying that the federal government is crowing about how well it's going.

Yeah, nah.

[velithya]

We're both doctors advice for the Pfizer and when last at the GP the GP was like "because the Pfizer has to be kept at -80C" (or whatever it is - very very cold tho) "we don't actually have the facilities to store it so it has to be given at a hospital vaccination centre" so now we have to rebook through the hospital system anyway?? Just waiting for my BFF to get the post-surgery all clear first tho... and hope she doesn't get refused again :|

Yeah the federal government has consistently dropped the ball from go to woah on almost every aspect of this and yet they still have the audacity to claim they're doing great??? please

I hope you can get the jab soon!

[ladyjax]

I know you saw from afar how bizarre and maddening it was her in California. And I keep coming back to the fact that they knew that at some point a vaccine was coming and that they had time to build better notification systems.

I had more than one person start with, "Well, Trump" to which I'd point out: "The California Legislature collectively gave him the finger on the day he was elected. He hated our guts. We also are home to some of the best research universities on the planet and the home of Big Tech. You can't tell me we couldn't figure all of this out ahead of time."

Shirley and I didn't even get the shot in the same place: her boss did the legwork to get the staff shots in Berkeley and after much effort poking at the city, county and State vaccine websites, I got my appointment at the Coliseum. Which was extremely efficient because when I went, it was run by the FEMA and California OES. Once they handed the site over to the county, access problems kicked up again.

All of this, across the world, is a damn mess. No one should have to put this much effort into getting a vaccine.

[tielan]

It's amazing how many governmental groups and organisations are NOT PREPARED for a vaccination program.

Heck, our federal govt is still in denial about the need for a federal quarantine facility.

I wonder how much of it has to do with expectation, too. Allisnow - of auld SGA fandom days - commented on my equivalent FB rant that she doubts the govt had anything to do with the vaccination program in her area, it went so smoothly. *eyeroll* But then, she expects government to stuff things up; while I (and probably you) expect government to be organised to do the big things that individuals can't and corporations won't.

[deird1]

Yeah, I'm getting rather sick of watching all my overseas friends post "Got my second shot!" when I have so little hope of getting one that I haven't even bothered trying yet. Stupid coalition.

Desperately hoping that we don't get a Melbourne lockdown for the next two days, because I'm due to fly to Sydney to see Hamilton. Everyone keeps saying "fly out early!!!" but not only would that be rather difficult, I've also spent enough of last year glaring at people who try to outrun lockdowns that I'd feel astonishingly hypocritical.

[tielan]

Oh man, it's not looking good for you! :(

*hugs*

[deird1]

Postponed til September, dammit.

[hannah]

Best of luck for some good timing to get one.