When I first decided to leave Georgia, the goal was always to spend a great deal of time in California. However, Nevada was my first stop and where I voted. While Nevada felt very much like home, I wanted to explore as many areas as possible before going to California. I had a good feeling, once I got back there, I wouldn’t want to leave. So said, so done. I have been in California since December.
I hurried in just as Newsom issued a statewide shutdown. I quarantined for a week and spent another four weeks laying low near the border. During that time, cases were rising in the state and ICU capacity reached 100%. Just a few months later and every week California sets a new vaccination record. As of three days ago, the state has reached 15 million vaccines.
From a personal standpoint, I can say that almost everyone I know in California is vaccinated. The only people who aren’t are either young or have admitted to procrastinating, despite being eligible. Keep in mind that I’m RVing, so most of my neighbours are between the ages of 50 and 65.
Why I Chose To Be Vaccinated
Like many people around the world, I have my reservations about the COVID-19 vaccines. I understand that new tech and heavy funding made it all possible. It doesn’t change the fact that we have no idea what the long-term effects might be, because there was no time for long-term trials.
Even so, I believe that by the end of this year, all of us will either get COVID-19, one of its new strains or the vaccine, so pick your poison. I gave it some thought last year for a week and then decided that once the vaccine was available, I would not hesitate to accept it.
How I Checked My Eligibility
I started my eligibility process in Nevada because that is my home state. Unfortunately, Nevada has been as slow with its vaccine rollout as it was with its ballot-counting for the recent presidential elections. As of right now, people with co-morbidities are not eligible. Nevada is still focusing on vaccinating seniors and frontline workers.
Because I’m in California, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to see whether I could get the vaccine here. I signed up at the COVID-19 vaccination website run by the California Department of Public Health. I was told I was not yet eligible, but they would let me know when people with co-morbidities could get the vaccination.
How I Was Notified of Eligibility
Every so often, I checked the Nevada and California websites, but the answer was always the same. In spite of my co-morbidities, I wasn’t eligible. Then, on Thursday, March 18th, I received a notification from the California DPH.
When I woke up and saw the message, I immediately rushed to the website to confirm my eligibility. Sure enough, I was finally able to get the vaccine! Well … sort of.
Unfortunately, when I tried to book an appoinment, there was none available in my area.
It also said I had to bring proof of my co-morbidities. I have no proof of my heart conditions in America because I was diagnosed as a teen, while living in Jamaica, and receive no treatment for it here. Doctors everywhere have always told me exactly the same thing.
There’s nothing you can do about that. If it hurts, take an aspirin.
I have telehealth covered under my health insurance, so I booked an appointment. I got a California-based doctor and explained my predicament. She wrote me a sick slip recommending I receive the vaccine because of my heart conditions.
How I Finally Booked My Appointment
Friday morning, my neighbour texted me to re-send him the link to confirm eligibility with the California DPH. I did as he asked and then decided it wouldn’t hurt to check for appointments again. Suddenly, there were three days with availability, an hour away. I booked my appointment, called my neighbour and booked him as well. We immediately received our confirmations.
He is a long-time California resident. I am not. So, I’ll be bringing my 30-day rent receipt from the RV Park as proof that I temporarily reside in the state. Newsom has promised that California will not ask for proof when people show up for vaccinations. However, as you likely saw in the screenshot, the website implies otherwise.
How the Vaccine Process Worked (To Be Continued)
At the time of writing this, I have not yet left home to receive my vaccination. I will follow up with information on how the process works and what my symptoms have been — if any. I’ll be getting the Moderna two-dose vaccine.
Wish me luck!
Find Me On:
I’m glad you received the vaccine. I, like you, knew I would take the vaccine. The other options were dire at best. I ran a low grade fever for 24 hours after the second Moderna shot. Well worth it. I hope your reactions remains mild.
Thanks! I’m glad your symptoms weren’t long-lasting for the second shot. My dad has a fever from the first shot.
Just got my first dose today (I’m in Phase 1B, as a government worker). Honestly, California is disorganized on people getting vaccinated, as I’ve literally heard of young people already getting vaccinated just by waiting around until the “leftover” vaccines (i.e. those with appointments who didn’t show up) were available. Any case, what’s important is that we’re moving FAST, and that by April 15th, everyone will be eligible to get it. Best of luck to you, Alexis!
I don’t think that’s really disorganized on California’s part. That’s a good thing. Vaccines are delivered in batches and they have to be thawed. After thawing, they can’t be refrozen and they have to be used within a few hours. Hundreds of thousands of vaccines have been thrown out because people don’t show up, so those smart youngins showing up and taking the leftovers are doing us a real favour. Otherwise, those would be wasted. Kudos to them!
I’m glad you got your dose today too. My arm is really sore and I have a headache, but so far, that’s it. I hope you’re feeling well. 🙂
Yay!! 👏 btw you have a small typo above your first screen shot. You typed May instead of Mar. 🥸
I just fixed it. Thanks for catching that! My next appointment is in April. 🙂
Woohoo!
Yay! Delighted to hear you’re getting the vaccine, Alexis. Good luck! Hope all goes smoothly & you have no side effects afterwards. ((hugs)) xx
Thank you! I’m assuming you already got yours, right?
That’s good news, I hope your appointment went well, Sam xx
It did. Thank you! I have a sore arm and a headache but otherwise, I’m okay. 🙂
I had mine in February the sore arm didn’t last long, and I think you’ve done a good thing writing about it 🙂
Thank you! I had a sore arm for a few days. I’ll follow up with an update today. It’s been really hot so I’m waiting for things to cool down to run the computer!
Good luck. I hope you get your vaccines and have no side effects.
I’ve got a sore arm and a headache but nothing serious so far. Fingers crossed, and thank you!
Great news!
Thanks Peter. 🙂
Good luck to you Alexis! We’re still waiting for our turn here in California. So glad you got an appointment.
I’m sorry to hear you’re still waiting! Did you sign up to be notified when they reach your tier?
Yes! We’ve registered on all of the major sites. We’re just waiting but are happy for you! Good luck with the vaccination 😉
Thank you! Any updates yet? I’ve been hearing that if you show up, you could get leftovers from people who missed their appointments.
Yes! I did get a shot on Thursday because of my age and I got the J&J. Sar was able to get her first shot of Moderna and is going to get her second one this month. Unfortunately, Lex has to wait. We did have mild side effects but nothing too serious. Thanks you for asking – Neek
Sorry to hear one person has to wait. It might be for the best though. Just in case someone has symptoms, it’s a good idea to have one person in good health! My parents got theirs close together and say they wouldn’t do it again because they were both not quite themselves. Stay safe!
Good luck!
Thank you. I got my vaccine with no hassle.
👍👍🎉🎉