Rock Hill clinic says people not in Phase 1A still trying to get vaccinated

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The community COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Rock Hill expects to double the inventory it receives next week from about 1,500 doses to 3,000.

The shipment will allow for people to schedule more appointments, and the city is reaching out to those 65 years and older, urging them to register if they want the vaccine.

That has been frustrating for many seniors. Alonzo Adams has been trying to register for the vaccine online.

“When you do it, it’s just, you come to a standstill,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t get a response. There’s all kinds of issues with it.”

Adams said there is some desperation in his need to get the vaccine for himself and his wife, who uses a wheelchair.

“We just know we need to get it before we get sick,” he said.

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It wasn’t easy for Ed Ludwig to get his appointment either. He showed Channel 9 the email he had, which confirmed his appointment for next week. He said he wishes there was an easier way.

“Very difficult procedure. I had to go in like half-a-dozen times, maybe more,” he said.

Reaching those who are 65 years and older isn’t the only problem the clinic is having. There are people signing up who shouldn’t be, including younger people who aren’t part of Phase 1A.

[Here’s everything you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine in South Carolina]

Katie Quinn, with the city of Rock Hill, said last week that 3,000 people have signed up in the federal VAMS system who shouldn’t have. They weren’t in Phase 1A but registered, and some made appointments.

The clinic had to ask them to cancel.

“If somebody isn’t eligible in Phase 1A, they really need to not make an appointment,” Quinn said.

Those who are not eligible for the shot would be turned away once they got there anyway. However, that takes volunteers away from serving people who are eligible now, and many have left angry after being told they weren’t part of the first group.

Quinn said the way to get the vaccine quicker is to make sure those in line ahead of you get it, which means helping those 65 and older make appointments.

“Family members, friends, church members, neighbors who we think might want the vaccine but just don’t know how to go through that process, ask them if they need help,” she said.

Until there’s a dedicated phone system that can take appointments and add them to the online federal VAMS system, you’ll still have to have an e-mail and access to the internet to sign up for the vaccine.

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Cox Media Group