Although, I’m writing about a truly WTF situation, I am one excited fat old lady.

I have my appointment for my first COVID vaccine shot.

My HMO, Kaiser, has been dragging its feet.  I don’t know what is up with them, but they are still on tier 1A (healthcare workers and 75 and over – and the County shows that Kaiser’s vaccination of over 75 is “limited” – WTF?) of the roll out, while everybody else is on tier 1C (my tier – over 65). 

But California has adopted an “open door” policy, which means you can get your vaccine wherever you can find it. 

And the County of Santa Clara has it’s own website to help you find places where the vaccine may be available: 

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/COVID19-vaccine-information-for-public.aspx

Usually, all the appointments are shown as booked, but lucky for me (?) I am a night owl (a fat old lady night owl) and in the wee hours of the morning, there are sometimes available appointments coming online. 

First I booked one through the “Bay Area Community Health”.  I don’t know who these people are but they are not helpful.  I got an e-mail from them saying I had applied for a vaccine appointment and that I should expect a confirmation e-mail “soon” (usually within 24 hours – their words, not mine).  Well, I waited several days and heard nothing.  No phone number is offered on the link (not helpful), so I looked them up on the Net and called – nobody picked up (so not helpful).  Ever.  I don’t care if I get a confirmation from them today – not going.  I no longer have any faith in these folks.  They can’t handle their own appointment system correctly; hell, they can’t handle answering their fucking phone. I’m not trusting them to deal with a vaccine that requires very careful handling.

Last night, I was able to book an appointment through the County!  I even got a confirmation e-mail this morning!  I am soooooo happy.

HOWEVER, in signing up for the appointment, they asked for my health insurance information. 

I don’t have a problem with them having my health insurance information, because, as stated on their site, while I will not be charged for the vaccination, the County may be able to bill my healthcare insurance.  Great.  Go get ’em.  Serves them right for being so slow in getting people vaccinated.

HOWEVER, I am not putting my insurance identification number on your UNSECURE website. 

No, no, no. 

How stupid do you think I am? 

Some people have a medical identification number that is their social security number!  (Not mine, mind you, but I have had insurers that used my social security number as the ID number.)

No. No. NO!

So, I put down I had no insurance; and plan on giving them my health insurance information when I get there.  I have no desire to defraud the County out of payment for the vaccine.  I want free vaccines to go to those who cannot afford it.  But I am NOT putting privatey-private information on an unsecure website. 

WTF?