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

[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!