People rushed out early Wednesday morning hoping to snag a vaccine at first-come, first-served vaccine clinics available to people who are qualified.
It was welcomed by some who have waited for weeks to get the shot, but it also sparked confusion and disappointment for others.
Horace Foxall has been waiting for his chance to get a COVID-19 vaccination. He said nothing was going to keep him from getting to a Sea Mar vaccination clinic in Des Moines at 8 a.m.
Foxall said he was up late the night before but was willing to get up early when he learned he didn’t need an appointment.
“I’ve been – God - a month trying to get something. Every place I go - Sold out. Sold out,” he said.
On the Sea Mar Community Health Centers website it clearly stated, “Patients arriving for a first dose vaccine will be registered and will be given an place in line on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Prudy and John Parker, who came to the Des Moines clinic, said it worked for them – this time.
“(We) just came out this morning I saw on the computer that they had the vaccine so we came out this morning earlier and signed up,” said John Parker.
“We’ve been kind of sent away a couple different times because they ran out, so this is a happy day,” said Prudy Parker.
Though things worked out in Des Moines, photos from another Sea Mar vaccination clinic in Bellingham showed people waiting in line only to be greeted by a sign that said not to wait and call for an appointment.
First-come, first-served was not the process there. Aaron Ignac, Sea Mar Community Health Centers administrator, Bellingham and Everson, explained why.
“Yesterday was the first full day of doing the walk-in approach, but there was so much demand that we quickly filled up and we had to switch to a prescheduled (approach) because we did not have any more slots,” said Ignac.
Though vaccine is being made, supply is limited. For Sea Mar in Whatcom County, it’s not clear when they can go back to first-come, first-served clinics.
“Because of the recent scarcity of the vaccines and also the shipping delays from last week, we’re not sure exactly how much we’re getting in when,” said Ignac.
The Des Moines clinic only had a few hundred doses.
Foxall got his slot for the vaccination but knows many more people are still waiting.
“I think I’m going to feel much safer, calmer, less stress. I’ve been kind of like a hermit you know. I’m hoping things loosen up and get a little back to normal,” he said.
Find a list of Sea Mar vaccination clinics at this link.