LOS FELIZ, Calif. — As vaccination appointments opened up for healthcare workers, Agne Taraseviciute-Morris, an oncologist in Los Angeles opted to sign up for her first appointment. But the decision to receive the vaccine might have been easier than trying to book the appointment.

“It took me three days, about two hours each day trying to sign up for an appointment for myself,” Taraseviciute-Morris said.

What You Need To Know

  • Limited supply of COVID vaccines causes shortage in appointments and delays in L.A. County, according to L.A. County Public Health Officials

  • Thousands have been calling into the call center frustrated with the online system

  • State health department launches myturn.ca.gov and tasks Blue Shield of California to help expedite vaccine administration

  • According to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, those who have been vaccinated at a county site will receive an email to confirm the time of their second dose on the designated day

Flustered and frustrated with the process, she managed to schedule an appointment. Then, she got an email saying it was rescheduled with no new date. When she asked the website’s tech support on what it meant they didn’t have any answers to help.

“I was hoping that I wasn’t taking an appointment away from somebody else or not showing up for an appointment that was rescheduled,” she said.

It took an extra 11 days from her original appointment date to finally get her first dose. Now, with L.A. County expanding vaccinations for those who are 65 and older, it was time for Taraseviciute-Morris to start the process all over again. This time, to get her mother a vaccination appointment. In a recent L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting, Dr. Barbara Ferrer shared that thousands of calls were coming into the call center from those who are frustrated with the online system. Now, Dr. Ferrer is hoping a new website, myturn.ca.gov will streamline the process.

“We’re hoping that with an easier to use online system that many people won’t be as frustrated with the online system and need to use the call center. I do want to note however, that the appointments are limited in number because we don’t get a lot of vaccine here. And people are going to need some patience,” Dr. Ferrer said.

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Despite online issues, many people are also frustrated with the slow rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in the state. It’s estimated that more than 3 million doses have been administered so far. In an effort to expedite administration of the vaccine throughout the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom tasked Blue Shield of California to help speed up the pace of getting the vaccine into the arms of those like Taraseviciute-Morris and her mother. Although it had been a stressful process, Taraseviciute-Morris couldn’t be happier to get the vaccine.

“Amazing. It was really the best feeling in the world. Never felt so happy after a vaccine,” Taraseviciute-Morris said.

But now comes the next step — she’ll have to wait for an email reminding her to make an appointment for her second dose. According to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, those who have been vaccinated at a county site will receive an email to confirm the time of their second dose on the designated day. The St. John’s Well Child and Family Center shared a reminder for individuals who were vaccinated at one of their clinics to revisit the clinic on the date listed on the white vaccination card for a patient’s second dose, even if they did not receive a reminder or notice. Other vaccination sites, should be contacted directly for second dose vaccinations. While Taraseviciute-Morris and her mother’s second dose vaccination date inches near, she remains hopeful that she’ll find a way to make sure her and her mother get the protection they need, so they can get through this pandemic as a family.

For appointment assistance or other questions regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in L.A. County contact the CA COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255.