Most Found It 'Very Hard' To Get Coronavirus Vaccine: GA Survey

GEORGIA — As vaccination efforts continue with more than 1.3 million shots administered across the state, the majority of eligible Georgians who responded to a Patch survey said they have received the coronavirus vaccine. However, nearly half of all responders said it was "very hard" to get the shot.

Nearly 530 readers replied to the survey, with 58.2 percent of those who are eligible saying they have received the shot, and 30.2 percent saying they have not. Of those who have taken the vaccine, the majority accessed it from a Georgia provider with an appointment.

While not a scientific poll, the survey presents a broad idea of public sentiment regarding the vaccine. Respondents were asked had they received the vaccine and if not, why? They were asked about post-vaccination symptoms and how easy or difficult it was to schedule the shot, then get the vaccination.

The survey also asked where respondents took the vaccine and how long they had to wait. The survey was open from Tuesday morning through Thursday morning.

More than 170 people listed reasons why they haven't taken the vaccine yet, although they are eligible to get one. Their reasons included:

• I have been trying to get the vaccine for the last three weeks.
• I have been unsuccessful in setting up an appointment so far. Don't know where else to turn.
• Every time I tried to make an appointment, I am told their supply is out.
• I don't trust a drug rushed to market where the providers accept no liability for adverse reactions.
• I have tried to access numerous websites with no success. Most websites are not user-friendly. None of my doctors have called me about getting vaccinated.
• There is an unproven efficacy of current vaccines. New variants of the virus are cause for skepticism. Since I am sheltering in place and among the low-risk population, I can wait.
• I am on five waiting lists and have had no response to any. It is upsetting.
• I was getting caught up on other vaccines.
• I have a 99.8 percent chance of surviving. I'll take my chances.
• I'm not anti-vaxx, but I want to wait to see what new versions come out and if they address more variants of the virus and to also monitor the long-term effects that they have on recipients.

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As of Feb. 10, Georgia had administered 1,301,647 vaccines across the Peach State, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Last week, Gov. Brian Kemp said there are still roughly two million Georgians eligible that have yet to be vaccinated.

Even with the Biden administration's plan to release more vaccine supplies directly to pharmacies — which will increase Georgia's weekly vaccine allotment from 120,000 to 154,000, according to Kemp — the supply will still not meet the demand for vaccines in Georgia.

Georgians age 65 and older, health care workers and public safety officers, as well as long-term care facility residents and staff, fall into the state's current phase of the vaccine rollout, which is Phase 1A+.

The Georgia Department of Public Health in Atlanta reported a total of 780,494 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus at 3 p.m. Wednesday. According to the health department's website, that includes 2,481 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.

Georgia has reported 13,599 deaths so far from COVID-19, with 121 more deaths confirmed in the last 24 hours.

SEE ALSO: 5 Things To Know About Getting Vaccinated In Georgia

Readers were asked to list symptoms from the vaccinations, with most saying a sore arm or no reaction. Many said they have yet to receive their second shot, but those who have also listed a sore arm or no symptoms.

"I am somewhat worried about the second shot," one reader said. "I will get mine this week hopefully, but I have heard and read the reactions are more severe."

Finding a place to get vaccinated proved to be a tough task, with most responders saying it was "very hard" to do. Another large group said it was "somewhat hard." But 16 percent said it was "very easy," and 10 percent said it was "somewhat easy."

John Fletcher, of Marietta, said he signed up for an appointment on the Cobb/Douglas Health website. After waiting for 45 minutes after his appointment time on Jan. 25, Fletcher was told he was not on the list.

"[The] young man told me they were supposed to have signed up 800, and they had signed up 8,000," Fletcher said. "Also said I would get an email. I was given a March 2 date for a second shot, so I don't think I have it either. No email and will try again to get an appointment. I am an 85-year-old senior with COPD, so we are staying close."

One reader said, "I am 70 years old and live with a diabetic. I am definitely eligible but cannot find the vaccine."

Another said, "Many seniors are not computer-literate and can’t schedule."

Jennifer Cooper, of Atlanta, said her father is 90-years-old, and had a similar but different experience.

"He is very tech-savvy and is using all leads to find a vaccination location that is accepting appointments," Cooper said. "His mission to find and schedule an appointment has literally become almost a full-time job for him."

After finding an appointment or place to get vaccinated, readers then faced the challenge of having to wait, with most saying it took a few days to get the vaccine. A quarter of responders said they had to wait a week, and another quarter said they had to wait longer than that. Only 2.6 percent said they waited a few hours.

A responder said, "It needs to be easier for people without access to a computer to get an appointment!"

"Maybe if I wait long enough, I'll get a better vaccine," another reader said.

Nearly 300 responders left open-ended comments related to the coronavirus vaccine, including:

• Georgia not prepared to roll out vaccine.
• Georgia is better than other states.
• The rollout has been mismanaged in Georgia and across the country. It shouldn't be so hard to get a vaccination and more people should be eligible by now to receive one.
• I'm not eligible but have serious concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
• Just waiting to see if I have any reaction to my second Pfizer immunization.
• I'm in the healthcare industry, and we really need everyone to get vaccinated in order to obtain herd immunity and get back to normal activities. The side effects from the vaccine (if you even have any at all) are so worth the benefits it provides.
• Fulton County did a great job at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
• How long do we people with underlining conditions have to wait?
• Initial rollout never should have included those 65-74 and their caregivers. That was too many people to dump into the mix all at one time.
• Quit telling the public that it is recommended to get the vaccine when it's not available to most citizens. Recommend getting it when there is supply to get it which in most cases will still be six-plus months.
• I really want to, I'm just not eligible yet.
• Why not give the shot to anyone who wants to take it, no matter their age?
• Everyone should receive the vaccine the sooner, the better, so we can get back to the new normal.
• With two million others eligible I expect I will have to be patient until the supply catches up with the demand.
• Based on family experience I will not get the vaccine. Family members that have had COVID-19 had very mild symptoms (very mild cold like). Family members who have had the vaccine have reported extreme reactions worse than any illness they have ever had.
• Please get it and wear your mask.