Frustrations mounting for Pennsylvanians trying to schedule COVID-19 vaccines

PITTSBURGH — Frustrations are mounting for Pennsylvanians attempting to schedule appointments for COVID-19 vaccines, including one woman who said she spent more than 30 hours trying.

Kathy Jo Pollack spent hours on the computer trying to get a vaccine appointment for her 86-year-old mother.

“One day I waited on a site for 3.5 hours and there were 10-12,000 people ahead of me,” Pollack, of White Oak, said.

Pollack told Channel 11 News she spent the last two weeks trying to get an appointment. She even called local hospitals, doctors’ offices and pharmacies.

Finally, she secured an appointment -- two hours away.

“I think I’m relatively computer savvy. I feel badly, very, very badly for our elderly who are not,” Pollack said.

On Wednesday, Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Deborah Bogen admitted the system is confusing. She said the county is working on coming up with a better process.

Allegheny Co.: new vaccine appointments filled within 30 min., many by people not meeting criteria

Cox Media Group