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‘Frustrated’: 88-year-old gets first COVID-19 vaccine shot, struggles to find second dose

As demand for COVID-19 vaccinations remains higher than supply, some are struggling to find appointments for their second dose, despite getting the first shot.

“I was thrilled!” said Jean Fitzgerald, who told KIRO 7 the feeling of joy didn’t last long after getting her first Pfizer vaccine shot last week at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue. “I asked if I could sign up for the second shot and they said no, that I could probably do that on their website or I could go some place else.”

The 88-year-old said she’s been trying ever since to schedule another appointment to get the second dose of vaccine without any luck or help from Overlake Medical Center.

“Evidently (their) site doesn’t refresh and so someone’s already taken it and it’s not really there,” said Fitzgerald, describing the vaccination sign-up process. “I’ve written (the hospital) at least four times and have gotten no replies at all.”

Fitzgerald said she’s discovered other places are not readily advertising what vaccine they’re giving out, which has made finding a second Pfizer appointment more challenging, with pressure growing to do so in the recommended 21-day interval.

“Totally frustrated,” said Fitzgerald. “I feel like I’m kind of under a time crunch.”

Last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated guidance, which was revised “to allow for second dose administration up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval. CDC is not advocating for people to delay getting their second dose, but the data from clinical trials support this range.”

“I really feel strongly that when any place schedules the first shot, you need to be able to schedule the second shot,” said Fitzgerald.

Overlake Medical Center & Clinics said it’s working to open up more appointments and encouraged people struggling to schedule an appointment for their second vaccine dose to “check back regularly.”

“We are aware that some first dose vaccine recipients have not yet scheduled their second dose,” said Overlake Medical Center & Clinics in a statement to KIRO 7 Monday. “Per guidance from public health authorities, we are working to identify these individuals in order to complete their vaccination process.”