Letter to the Editor: Pity those trying to schedule a covid-19 vaccination

I’m 79 years old but worked in IT for 40 years and consider myself pretty computer savvy.

But the extreme difficulty I’ve had trying to schedule a covid-19 vaccination makes me feel pity for the people who have little or no computer experience.

What a frustrating process this is for anyone trying to save their life. It’s a mess.

I have to assume that the people who manage the websites have never really tried to register or find out where the vaccine is located.

They need to approach it as if they are 75 to 80 years old with little knowledge and experience using websites.

Most of the sites force you to sift through a lot of unrelated areas before you can find anything about the vaccinations.

I spend at least two hours a day on various provider websites to validate that we are registered and find out if any vaccines are available.

Vaccination providers need to have a banner on the homepage that shows where and how many doses of the vaccines are available as well as a place to confirm an appointment and register easily.

I can’t believe that with all the technology available today, this process is so incoherent and time-consuming.

I give the Allegheny County Dept of Health and the State Department of Health a big “F” on their coordination and distribution of the vaccine. The townships are not doing any better.

Shame on all of them for causing such distress on the public by failing to effectively and efficiently address this most critical activity.

I read the other day that Pennsylvania is 39th out of the 50 states in vaccine distribution, so it appears to me like a case of the PA citizen be damned.

Why don’t the counties have mass distribution sites in the north, south, east and west to serve the walk-ins from the targeted groups? Why not some drive-thru sites?

I do realize that a vaccination site was set up at PNC Park recently, but really, with the parking and walking required, it wasn’t the best situation for the elderly.

I cannot believe that the major healthcare providers have not planned for this mass distribution process.

I do not know anyone over 65 or disabled in my sphere that has been able to locate a supply of vaccines. They are extremely concerned and frustrated.

George B. Kruth

Shaler Township