The long-awaited H1N1 vaccine is now available by appointment through the DuPage County Health Department. Unfortunately, there seems to be no easy way to actually make an appointment despite assurances that calls are being taken on a round-the-clock basis.
I’ve tried repeatedly to get through at 1-866-311-1123 without success. Maybe more call-center staff might be just what the doctor ordered?
County residents who are considered “priority groups,” based on Centers for Disease Control criteria, are first up for the vaccine.
They include pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months of age, health care and emergency medical services personne, everyone age six months through 24, and people age 25 to 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
The initial clinic schedule, which is posted at the county’s emergency information Web site, www.protectdupage.org, will run through Nov. 8, including weekends. Additional dates will be announced as vaccine becomes available.
There eventually will be enough vaccine manufactured for everyone in the U.S. Hopefully, public health authorities will have dealt with the phone-system bugs before then.
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I called around 4:30 today, was on hold 20 minutes and recieved an appointment for 11/11. Yesterday I was on hold for a half hour before I had to give -up.
I think it was easier getting tickets to game 1 of the 2005 White Sox World Series. I was on hold 20 minutes before we got our slot on the 25th.
Waiting until about midnight to call. First and second attempts I got a busy signal. Third attempt, I spent about 15 minutes on hold. Only the flu mist is currently available. More vaccine coming eventually.
I have been trying to get through for tollfree line for past 3 hours and no luck. In the current world of technology why not they queue up the call ? What a waste of time and frustration for so many people. Why can they not do appointment through website and for authenticity use credit card. Wake up Maureen McHugh and Rashmi Chugh