Booster confusion

THE EDITOR; Madam:

Ever wonder why persons do not visit vaccine sites to get the jab? I know that there are several reasons, but I’ll give one reason: “ME CAN’T TAKE DE STRESS!”

On Wednesday, December 29, 2021, a vaccination site was set up at Burlington Medical Centre in Brown’s Town, St Ann. Scores of persons assembled at the location where at least 10 medical persons, including a doctor, a senior nurse and other nurses, prepared the centre for the day’s activities. The sessions were scheduled to start at 10:00 in the morning.

Among the host of persons assembled were five senior citizens who went to get booster shots. I was among the five. At 75 years old, I was not the youngest of the lot. We were all there before 10 a.m. There was a setback because the medical team was forced to change location, so we understood the delay.

When all was set, at about 10.30 a.m., the medical ladies started to settle persons under tents by differentiating between persons for first doses, second doses, and persons for AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson or Pfizer. We had to almost shout to get her attention to inform her that we were there for boosters.

At last, we got some attention. She asked us if we have a letter from a doctor authorising us to get the booster. We had no idea what she was talking about. She was losing her patience and so were we. She left and came back with a form for us to complete. This form related to third doses (not boosters). She advised us that when we were finished filling out the form, we should meet with the on-site doctor. Now this form asked for the same information we gave on the first visit. When we went to the doctor, we were advised that the form was not for us. We went back to our seats for another long wait.

Persons for first dose and second dose were coming and going and we the elderly were totally ignored. Of course, we raised our voices again. At 11 a.m. we were told that someone will soon assist us.

Suffice it to say, we never got the vaccine until past midday.

Shouldn’t there be a more humane way to deal with the more vulnerable in the society? The lack of structure at the vaccination sites is one of the reasons for the low take-up.

RAMADHIN BAILEY