My experience getting my 2nd Pfizer vaccine today at UB-South Campus.

[Niagara]

I was disappointed when fellow DUers were posting that they got their vaccines, but didn't share any of their experiences about the process that they went through or how the workers were treating them. So, I wanted to share my experience here on DU.



First, I will admit that it took me awhile to find a Pfizer vaccination location. The vaccine websites made it sound like a person had to bring all this paper work in to prove residency, not too mention a printout of your confirmed appointment. In reality, all a person needed to bring was a drivers license (or state issued I.D card), insurance card and the vaccination card if it's a second vaccine being done. Obviously, if a person doesn't have insurance, you just simply let them know. With both appointments, not one person looked at my appointment confirmation printout.



The location was at University at Buffalo South Campus by appointment. As I drove into the parking lot today, the electronic flashing sign was also welcoming walk-ins besides appointments, so that was wonderful to see! And just like my 1st time, they had National Guards that greet each vehicle and asks if it's their 1st or 2nd vaccination. If it's the 1st time, the National Guard will direct the driver where to park and to follow the large signs directing towards the vaccination building.


Once one has parked their vehicle and walked up to the designated building, there's a person in regular street clothes that takes each persons temperature and asks if their experiencing any Covid symptoms and if they have come into contact with an infected person. 3 weeks ago, there was a State Trooper at a podium that looks for names with their appointment times and highlights the information on the paper. Today, there was a National Guard doing that job. This is all done outside before going in through the doors.


Once I was inside the door, there is another person standing at another podium asking for names with appointment times and highlighting the information. Once a processor person is free, the person at the podium will direct a person to a numbered table. There are 6 different people working and processing at 6 different tables so the line moves quickly. That person then will take your I.D, health insurance card and will write information down on a piece of paper and will direct a person to another large room where the vaccinations are taking place.


Once at the entrance of the vaccination room, a National Guard ask if it's for the 1st or 2nd vaccination. The room has 2 separate que lines. Line 1 on the far right is for the 1st vaccine. Line 2 in the middle is for the 2nd vaccine. On the very left is the exit line where a person walks so that they can exit the building without blocking any vaccine que lines.


Once a vaccine table opens up, and there are several of them, a National Guard will have the person follow them, and will also take the paperwork and hands it over to the person giving the vaccine. They have the name of the person, address, phone number and birthday up on a computer screen, and at that time the person confirms that all information is correct and spelled correctly. Questions are asked if there are any known allergies or any known autoimmune diseases. I was then given my 2nd dose and directed to recovery room #2.



There are 4 recovery rooms all together, and they have chairs spaced out 6 feet apart. Once a person has waited the 15 minutes, the person in that room acknowledges the person leaving and tells them to have a good day and each seat is sanitized. The last time I waited my 15 minutes in room #4, but today I waited in room#2. I also noticed an EMS gurney with medical bags and supplies sitting on top of the gurney. I also noticed an EMS person sitting down and watching the room. I actually didn't see that the last time, it could be because I was in a different recovery room.


Once my 15 minutes was up, I told the person working the recovery room to have a great day and left.


My experience may not be the same as another persons experience. This was on a college campus and I thought it was extremely organized and that everyone was polite and helpful. It was also a extensive relief getting vaccinated. Thanks for listening.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Thanks for all the details! I'm sure someone here will benefit from your thoughtfulness. ♥

[Niagara]

2. You're very welcome, CAPeggy!

[SheltieLover]

3. I scheduled appt at Kroger

Checked in, similar to picking up RX, except govt. Issued photo ID was absolutely required.

Filled out brief form.

Sat & waited 5-10 min. Got called into office, got jab & was told to sit & wait 15 min.

Nobody payed any attention to those waiting their 15 min.

Seemless flow. Appt on time. Good experience.

Oh, I found appt through this CDC site:

https://www.vaccines.gov/

[SWBTATTReg]

4. There have been quite a few reports on experiences w/ DUers and their shots, on the first shot, the

second shot, or both shots, etc. It's just that there are so many DU stories out there in DU land to read/peruse, etc., that one is not aware of all of the stories out there.

Thanks for sharing yours. Seems like they got their 'act' together, and made the process of getting a shot more easier for all (where you were at).

And most importantly of all, congrats on getting your final second shot!

I'm getting mine this coming Thursday (the 2nd shot) and once my 7 day window after the 2nd shot occurs, I'll breath a sigh of relief. I'll still continue to protect myself and others, w/ a mask and social distancing, and practice safe contact routines w/ others. I suspect that this will be the case for quite some time afterwards for a lot of us. And why not? They say that the number of people suffering colds/flu/etc. is down, probably because of the masks, social distancing, etc., so perhaps humanity has learned an important lesson.

It's too bad that we had to have so much death and illness (and we still have issues w/ COVID 19 the world over). My prayers are to the powers that be, to protect all of us no matter where we're at on this planet. We are almost, almost over the hump but I feel like that we'll continue to have outbreaks in some spots, especially in rural areas. Maybe not. Can only hope for the best, eh?

[royable]

5. The relief was palpable for me as I passed through the post-show window.

Just a note, though, SWBTATTReg. You said 7 day window, and you can check elsewhere, but I've only ever heard of the window being 14 days after your final shot until your immunity is at its peak, from whichever of the three types of shots available.

[SWBTATTReg]

6. I read recently that the window was seven days, but I wouldn't be able to find that article again

(so much out there). I will assume 14 days, after all, that's what it takes the first shot to 'register'. Thanks for the heads up.

[royable]

8. I looked it up, and found the info on the CDC Website:

"It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. You are not fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after the 2nd dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a one-dose vaccine."

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html

Cheers!

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

7. Mine was easy as soon as I became eligible and got an appointmen..

I got a text from Providence that I could set up an appointment on line but it kept telling me that I did not qualify. I called Providence and they told me the site had not been updated yet. I set an appointment over the phone.

For the appointment I went to the Internal Medicines building walked in, registered with the receptionist then sat down in the waiting room until called. When called I went into the examining room and the lady gave me my shot and sent me to the waiting room to wait 15 minutes and make my next appointment. I just left after my 15 minutes. The next appointment was just as easy.

Seating was set up for proper distancing and everybody had their masks on properly.