As more and more local seniors get their COVID-19 vaccinations, they are also speaking out about their frustrations and concerns with the process and the vaccine itself.
Some seniors say they called to book an appointment but were asked to call at another time. Others said the walk from the Four Seasons parking lot to the front entrance of the Civic Centre was challenging for those with mobility, while others are concerned about the side effects they've heard others are experiencing after receiving the vaccine.
Former weekly Citizen columnist Kathy Nadalin, 73, called on March 21 and was booked for an April 6 afternoon appointment.
Nadalin also sent out an email to friends and acquaintances in her age group, telling them now was the time to book.
Responses she received were those of frustration as several people who called the next day were told there were no available spots.
And for those reluctant to get the shot because of side effects, Nadalin says husband Lino has the best saying when it comes to things like that.
"Don't ask your lawyer to talk about the mechanics of your car," she laughed. "Ask the experts."
So we did.
Northern Health responded by email to a request for comment and advice to help seniors navigate the system more easily.
"NH follows the BC Immunization plan, so anyone in a Phase 1 or 2 group is currently eligible and can continue to be booked into clinics. NH is still booking Phase 2 eligible groups (e.g., staff who work in shelters, supportive seniors housing, and other identified congregate settings; public and private professionals/workers who provide direct patient care in hospital, community-based, or home-based settings)."
The email continued by saying that Northern Health is taking a community approach to age eligibility.
"We adjust age eligibility for calling in to do two things: (1) to manage the call volume at the call centre, and (2) to do our best to have the oldest people get their appointments first. This is a challenging process, but it’s an effort to make sure appointments get filled by the oldest people first. On rare occasions, appointments may fill based on the age criteria we set and the number of appointment/clinics available. When that occurs, we add additional appointments and clinics before we expand the eligibility further."
Northern Health warns some people may have to call back but they're working on it.
"We are asking people for their patience; our goal is still to vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated by July."
Despite the complaint about the long walk from the parking lot to the main entrance of the Civic Centre, others leaving the building after having the vaccine said it was a positive experience.
Hazel Ozmun, 78, came with her husband Blain, 81, and said her daughter got the number for her and she had no problem with that process.
Northern Health said they will also go outside of the specified age range to accommodate a couple so they can be vaccinated at the same time.
"We continue to ask people to call in on specific days based on age in order to minimize wait times on the call lines, and to ensure the older age ranges get the first appointments."
The Ozmun's appointment was only for Blain but when they both went in, Hazel made the request to get vaccinated too.
"You just go in and give them your care card number and you only wait for a few minutes and someone comes and takes you in and then you get a needle," Hazel said.
Hazel said they weren't worried about side effects.
"We were very happy to get in and get it," Hazel said. "Every little bit of prevention is great."
Jim Reid, 82, and his wife Dale, 77, came out of the Civic Centre soon after the Ozmuns and shared that it took two hours to get through to make the appointment for Jim.
"And then I heard on TV that I could call for mine and when I tried I was told that Prince George wasn't making any appointments," Dale said. "I was told that twice on Monday and then once yesterday."
When they got to the Civic Centre, Dale asked to be vaccinated at the same time because she is Jim's caregiver and staff accommodated them.
"They were lovely in there," Dale said.
When asked if they were concerned about side effects, Dale said she was more afraid of getting COVID-19 than she was of dealing with any side effects.
Another senior, however, is more worried about the vaccine.
Jindra Urbanic, 72, is concerned about how effective the vaccine will be if she has to wait up to four months for the follow-up shot.
"We recognize that some people may have questions about the vaccines," Northern Health responded. "Even if you only get the first dose, the vaccine is still about 80 per cent effective after two weeks. In the short term, one dose of the vaccine protects as well as two. A second dose probably gives you longer-lasting protection."
Urbanic also raised concerns about side effects after some of her friends got the vaccine and complained of not feeling well.
"I have to wonder if the vaccine might make me sick enough to go into the hospital," she said in a phone interview.
"The vaccines are safe and they won’t make you sick, but there still may be side effects," a Northern Health representative explained. "These might include soreness, redness and swelling at the spot where you got the injection; tiredness, headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint soreness; and nausea and vomiting. These reactions are mild and usually last one to two days. About one in a million people can have a reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips."
That's why Northern Health staff members ask people to wait 15 minutes before leaving after any vaccinations.
For more information, visit this webpage.
For real time updates on vaccine information visit the Northern Health website.
