Has anyone managed to get their 2nd bivalent booster?

[barbtries]

I got as far as making the appointment on the CVS website after completing a questionnaire and being told I was eligible for the shot, then showing up at the appointed time, where I was told they could not give me the shot.

the guy said they have to answer to more agencies than just the CDC and don't have authorization to give me the booster. I said your website specifically told me you could and gave me an appointment for it. He said I know. We can't.

Back home frustrated.

changed OP title for clarity

[Blues Heron]

1. Why not? What was the issue?

[barbtries]

6. this is the second bivalent shot.

it was here on DU yesterday that it was approved for over 65.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3062870

So, apparently the issue is that although the CDC has approved it, FDA has not? I don't know, I was really annoyed because I was able to make the appointment and there was no doubt about whether it was the first or second shot, because I got the first one there.

[Blues Heron]

13. Sorry they made you come in instead of letting you know not to bother

Typical CVS lameness

[viva la]

15. Next week probably--

There was one more hoop to jump through regulatorily.

I'll get one the first week!

[barbtries]

17. i'll definitely try again.

but it is annoying that the website cannot be trusted. I'll call first next time to be sure that it can really happen.

[SCantiGOP]

28. It will be announced when they are available

The article I read said “later this spring”

[50 Shades Of Blue]

2. The first one or the second one?

[barbtries]

7. Second.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3062870


CDC is recommending, CVS is making appointments, but i got there and they wouldn't (couldn't, according to the guy) do it

[Ocelot II]

3. That's odd. I got the bivalent booster at a Walgreen's months ago

with no more bother than for the previous shots.

[barbtries]

8. this is the second bivalent shot.

i got the first one no issues as well.

[Ocelot II]

14. Didn't know that was approved, thanks, will look into it.

[snowybirdie]

4. Got appointment today!

Unlike in the past, only CVS and Walgreens are offering it. Not a mention of it on local news despite the older population here. DieSantis wins this round I guess.

P. S. For those asking here, this is for the newly approved shot that was authorized yesterday for those over 65 or with extra problems who haven't been vaccinated in the last four months.

[Ocelot II]

10. Thanks for that info!

[barbtries]

11. Please let us know

if they give it to you once you're there. Apparently the website and the actual pharmacies are not in sync. I am assuming this will be your second bivalent shot?

[Irish_Dem]

27. As of today, my CVS says it cannot give the shot. They let you make a worthless appt though.

When you show up, they refuse to give you the booster.

[barbtries]

31. precisely what happened to me this morning.

i will call before going in next time.

[Irish_Dem]

42. Yes exactly. Not going to make an appointment online. Will call first.

[Sympthsical]

5. Not sure what that's about

I made an appointment on CVS website back in September for same day. Got it same day.

Did you get a shot last fall?

[barbtries]

9. yes,

this is for the second shot.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3062870

[Sympthsical]

16. That's probably why

The FDA just approved an additional shot two days ago. It's going to take them a sec to get their stuff in order.

Maybe check back in a week or so?

[barbtries]

20. i will.

I'll call them first

[Irish_Dem]

44. The booster in Sept was no problem. CVS won't give the second one now even though it is approved.

CVS says they have received no notice yet by authorities.

[JenniferJuniper]

12. Were you at the Minute Clinic by chance?

They aren't authorized to give the shot.

You need to go to the CVS pharmacy section for your shot.

[barbtries]

18. no.

I was at the pharmacy.

[Tetrachloride]

19. how many shots have people received ?

i have had 3. covid infections are low in middle east now

[LuckyCharms]

24. 5 so far, with the 6th coming up shortly.

1st initial dose
2nd initial dose
1st booster
2nd booster
1st bivalent booster
2nd bivalent booster coming shortly

[barbtries]

32. ditto nt

[LuckyCharms]

21. What I've read about the 2nd bivalent shot.

FDA has approved, CDC is in the process of approving (or, vice-versa). The approval for the 2nd shot will be finalized for certain at risk individuals any time now (like, within a day or two?).

There is always confusion at distribution points when a new shot is first approved. I would try again shortly.

Good luck! I'll be getting mine ASAP.

[barbtries]

22. that was my plan

apparently i was ahead of the bureaucracy. so was CVS's website.

[hlthe2b]

23. I had to intervene on the behalf of a woman denied her sixth booster (immunocompromised) 6 mos ago

at Safeway's pharmacy. She was precisely on schedule, but these local pharmacists don't follow closely the changes in ACIP/CDC guidelines and do nothing until corporate tells them to. They were talking so loudly and the woman was getting so upset, HIPAA or not, I could not help but interject with the very belligerent (and ignorant) pharmacist. suggesting that she could check the CDC guidelines on my phone as I knew exactly where to find them and that yes, it appeared this woman met the guidelines (she too had made an appointment on the website). I then stepped back because I did not wish to become a walking HIPAA violation, but the woman was so thankful she begged me to intervene further. I suggested they call their corporate pharmacy group and double-check and that I'd be happy to talk with them, given I have patients just like her coming in every day and knew every subtle detail in the guidelines for those immunocompromised--even while she was not one of my own patients. Begrudgingly, they did and the corporate folks took about 10 minutes to double-check, which ate up my remaining time but I was glad to see her get her dose. Of course, the pharmacist who'd denied her mumbled plenty of unpleasantries at me before I left, but at least one good deed for the day.

But do not be surprised if this is problematic at a number of pharmacies.

**As for those upstream questioning whether both CDC and FDA have approved this dose for those who qualify, yes they have (FDA preceded CDC by a day or so). Please check before posting otherwise:

CDC's new recommendations allow an additional updated (bivalent) vaccine dose for adults ages 65 years and older and additional doses for people who are immunocompromised. This allows more flexibility for healthcare providers to administer additional doses to immunocompromised patients as needed.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=CDC+has+approved+second+bivalent+booster

[barbtries]

33. thank you!

i felt his explanation was quite lame. not his fault though; someone running the show at CVS is not keeping up in a timely manner.

great information here, much appreciated.

[Irish_Dem]

25. Same thing here. CVS lets you make the appointment but won't give you the booster when you get there

[Walleye]

26. I hope it's soon I have a large wedding to go to in three weeks

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

29. I think it takes about 2 weeks for the immunization to be fully effective after the shot

But if you've had all five shots already, you should still be ok. Enjoy the wedding.

[Walleye]

30. Thank you, I'm a little anxious, it's my niece and it's nearby I have no excuse

But I haven’t been in any kind of large gathering for a while, and it’s really not my thing anyway. It’s quite possible I might just have fun

[barbtries]

35. have a great time.

You can wear a mask too. But I'm with you, I would prefer to be as fully protected as possible. having said that, my son was married last October. I attended a second wedding the same month. Came out unscathed! hope you do too

[Tom Rinaldo]

34. Getting it on Saturday, could have gotten it today but had a scheduling conflict n/t

[barbtries]

36. If you're getting it at the pharmacy,

i recommend calling first. I thought I'd be all vaccinated by now.

[Tom Rinaldo]

40. It's at an independent apothecary that has been awerded for their community vaccination work

The Village Apothecary of Woodstock NY. During the heart of the pandemic they organized vaccination clinics in our county resulting in over 50,000 shots given. They give updated info about the availability of vaccine shots to those who sign onto their mailing list. They are very on top of this at all times. I trust them fully. I would not have that degree of confidence in a typical chain pharmacy.

P.D. I trust that they will alert me if anything interferes with their scheduling. It is how they operate.

[barbtries]

43. lucky you.

your confidence is well founded. my son works in the store where the CVS is located and I take a lot of drugs these days. it's too convenient to switch. though possibly there is such a pharmacy somewhere in my town.

all i can do is try again and call ahead, hoping for the best.

[Tom Rinaldo]

50. Yeah, I agree. I am lucky in that regard...

...If I receive any correspondence from them indicating any problems with their ability to keep the appointments made with them, I'll let you know. That could be a sign of larger issues, but so far it is full speed ahead.

[ananda]

37. I'm getting my next booster next Thursday.

It will be my sixth Covid vaccine, Moderna.

[barbtries]

38. please let us know

if it happens. I was getting mine this morning and it did not.

[GPV]

39. I'm not recommended for one yet.

[brooklynite]

41. To clarify: authorization is only for age 65+ and immunocompromised.

[barbtries]

49. thank you brooklynite.

it's hard to keep up with threads on DU and I underestimated how many had not also caught the one from yesterday

[Chautauquas]

45. I will be 65 in July

and will definitely be trying to get the shot then.

[barbtries]

47. i would expect

that these hiccups will be over by then and you should have no issues. Happy Birthday!

[Takket]

46. i had not heard.......

i got the bivalent back in October i think??? Is this a new formula? does it cover more strains?

[barbtries]

48. it's a booster

so far only available to immunocompromised and over 65. I can't speak to the formulation.

[Tom Rinaldo]

52. I am pretty sure it is the same bivalent vaccine.

It is being used for booster shots, the same way the first vaccine was for a year or so. So far it is only cleared for use as a booster now for those over 65 or with specific medical vulnerabilities to Covid.

[Tomconroy]

56. It's the same as last time.

[Liberal In Texas]

51. Got mine 3 weeks ago at a CVS, no problem. n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

53. It has been available as a first shot for over six months

What is new is the ability to get it as a booster shot if you already received a first shot of it.

[retread]

54. FDA authorized 2nd bivalent 2 days ago. CDC approved Wednesday(yesterday). To my understanding these

2 agencies have been the ones required for all the covid vaccines so far.

[WhiteTara]

55. Next Wednesday at the doctor's office.

yay

[Ocelot II]

57. That exact thing just happened to me, at Walgreen's!

After reading this thread I checked Walgreen's web site to see if the new vax was available, saw that it was and that I could make an appointment online, which I did, for earlier this afternoon. I drove to the Walgreen's store I signed up at, which fortunately isn't far away, and presented the printout for my appointment and my vax card. After many minutes of punching whatever into his computer (even though I'd already filled in the online questionnaire), the guy at the counter still looked puzzled and went to talk to another employee. After a few minutes he came back and told me they didn't have authorization to give it yet.

So I asked him, why does your web site say it's available and allow people to make an appointment to get it? I showed him the info on my phone. He didn't know. Had no idea, except that they didn't have authorization yet and couldn't do it because of insurance. I got the impression it was a decision from on high at Walgreens corporate. I asked what I should do to find out if they really were making the vax available and avoid wasting my my time making an online appointment and driving there again to be told again that they couldn't do it. He said I should call first.

Great, I might as well just make the appointment on the phone in the first place and not bother with the f&king web site. Maybe they'll have their shit together by next week.