Missing out on shot

Here in northwest Arkansas, those of us in Category 1B (age 70 and older) seem to be out of luck for covid-19 vaccinations if we don’t live in a retirement, assisted-living, or long-term care facility; aren’t patients at a senior medical clinic; or don’t currently teach, either in-person or virtually, at the University of Arkansas or in the public schools. We’ve been told to register at only one pharmacy, and we wait by the computer or phone daily for a notice, while it seems people outside our category are now getting first and second doses.

My husband, because he still teaches, has received his first shot through the drive-through provided for faculty and staff by the UA, even though as many as 55 percent of the faculty are not teaching on campus. He was also offered a drive-through appointment with WRMC’s Senior Center, where he is a patient. My clinic, FDC, doesn’t offer vaccinations, and I’m told by them and by every other place to get on a drugstore’s list. Only a few days ago did I catch on that it’s on the pharmacies’ Facebook pages that information about vaccinations is posted.

Now that so many over-70s have been served through various facilities, Washington County very likely will not be a candidate for extra doses, no longer being considered an “underserved” county. I never expected to be first in line. I believe essential workers—those who face the risk of covid-19 daily in the workplace—deserve to be the first served. But if there was a reason for 70+ to be included in Category 1B, shouldn’t there be provisions made for an orderly and fair distribution of the vaccine to everyone in that group?

KAY N. DuVAL Fayetteville