More and more people are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Whew! If you read last Saturday’s newsletter, you know that editor Chuck Woodbury just got his first dose (and so did a few other RVtravel.com staff members and writers!) and he’s looking forward to the little slice of “normal” that comes along with it.
Have you had your first COVID vaccine dose yet? If so, we’d love to hear about your experiences with it in the comments below the poll.
Thanks for voting and happy vaccinating!


We (my wife and I) are not yet in the age group getting shots.
It’s not without trying but we live in Florida which is the worst state to be in. You spend hours on the sites to register only to be shut out. This state has so many problems besides the terrible handling of the covid. I regret ever moving here but can’t get wife to move.
Elections have consequences!
Ain’t that the truth! I just hope we survive the next four years.
you get what you pay for….
You should add to the poll the number of people who don’t intend to get the vaccine!
Surely no one is that ignorant!?!?!
Well Stated!
I am scheduled to receive my first shot this Friday the 29th. Still waiting for my wife’s doctor to schedule her shots. My shots are scheduled through the VA.
We live in Florida and I got my first one at Publix on January 19th and the second is scheduled for February 16th. Very easy to setup appointments on the Internet. However the state has some real problems with their vaccination roll-out and web site. They started vaccinations on January 2nd in Flagler County and it was total chaos on their web site and phone system such that both the web site and phone systems crashed within minutes.
PA shouldn’t be called the Keystone State under our present Governor. It should be be renamed the Stupid State. Nothing works according to plan, at least not his. Here in Central PA, the local hospital set up a call line (one) and it went down in less than 2 hours. A minimum of 5 lines were needed with the personnel to take the calls. Poor planning as usual.
try the website of wellspan health – in Lebanon
When I was younger (70+ now), I was sometimes tempted to participate in medical trials for some quick cash. That foolhardy behavior no longer lives in my brain – I don’t plan to participate in the vaccine experiment.
Amen. I don’t want to be notified about a recall. When my cancer doctor offers then I’ll roll up my sleeve, because I trust him. He wasn’t elected to office, nor is he paid to “report the news”.
Dan, My cancer doctor is very much in favor of the vaccines. I go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, I definitely trust them.
Pasco County in FL sent a large team of nurses to the small 55+ RV community (where we winter) to administer the vaccine to all those over 65 who wanted it. It was extremely well organized and we feel very fortunate to have been able to receive the vaccination this easily.
Here in FL, you are more likely to win Powerball than to score a vaccine appointment!
I am on my way to the VA Hines for my first shot, 4″ of snow. I guess it is a 4 wheel day.
I read yesterday that some who try to get the vaccine at VA are being turned down if their income exceeds a specified amount unless they are already in the VA system. True? False? Who knows.
What does income have to do with it?
We live in Manatee County, Florida and we have not received our call to make an appointment. Manatee County has a vaccine lottery. We are in a standby pool where folks are randomly selected. We also registered with Sarasota County and the state. Each does not have a vaccine lottery. Still, no phone call. If you have received the vaccine, consider yourself blessed.
No. I’m 49 and have the ability to work from home full time right now, so I think I’ll probably see it in the summer. My 70-something parents in FL both had their first round last week. They had luck going through Publix for it.
Got my first Covid vaccination shot yesterday. My wife still hasn’t been able to get a confirmation for her first shot. We are from NJ but spend our winters in FL. We both registered in NJ & FL. I was fortunate enough to get a date for my shot but the site crashed shortly thereafter and my wife didn’t get in. She has tried each time they advise her to try and each time the site crashes before she can schedule a shot. Hopefully they figure this out soon.
My husband and I are scheduled for Friday!
I voted ‘no’ because I have not. however my wife received her second shot yesterday. With it was a sore arm, a feeling of tired and a low-grade fever (she’s not complaining, she slept well and finally feels warm!) I am scheduled to get mine. I am looking forward to all of this being behind us.
nope – not even close to being eligible!
I hear you, same goes for me.
We wont be getting the Experimental Vax…. (We are NOT “Anti Vax” BTW)
Like many states Alabama is behind the curve on vaccinations. Logistics seem to be a major problem nationwide including the availability of the vaccine. Not sure when we will fall into that eligible category. We are over 65 and I have reduced immunity. For now we are practicing common sense distancing and masks with lots of hand washing
It’s a shame Americans were left in this situation . It should not have gotten to this extreme.
Sad that some fought tooth and nail to stop any progress on the Covid vaccination and now all of a sudden there is NO problem.
What else could have been done that hasn’t already been done? Lockdowns, masks, distancing, washing your hands a jillion times a day, what else?
Each time you wash your hands with the hand sanitizer you kill bad germs, but you also kill the good germs your body produces to protect you against the bad ones. Masks do nothing but give you a false sense of security and social distancing will work but at what length away? 6’, 10’, 20’ maybe it would be best if you kept 100’ away.
Live your life your losing time with people you love that can never be regained…
My wife and I got our 1st vaccine on January 12th and are scheduled for the 2nd on February 9th. Got it, by appointment, at the DeSoto Memorial Hospital in Arcadia, FL. We are 6 month seasonal residents.
Yes, my husband and I got our first vaccine from the health dept. in a nearby county in GA but they weren’t organized enough in early Jan. to schedule the second vaccines. Now they are out of supply and we’re waiting to (supposedly) be contacted for our second shot. We had a feeling of relief (and no side effects) after getting the first injection and eagerly await the second one. We will still wear masks, social distance, and practice other CDC guidelines until we feel safe enough to return to Life As We Used to Know It. We had a 33YO daughter-in-law almost die from COVID so we take this very seriously.
Not yet eligible. Have three parents that are, but no vaccine is available.
After all the politicians get vaccinated then I want mine from the same batch, otherwise no thank you.
I agree. But even then I would wait 1-2 yrs which is what should have been done. Phase 3 clinical trials on humans worldwide is a first for a virus with a 99% recovery rate. Even Pfizer docs say this was rushed because of demand. No thanks from a retired RN.
Don’t blame you , seems now there are two types of Americans the haves and have nots, worse in my lifetime.
With major allergic and deaths reported from people getting this vaccine I will wait 10 years before getting if I ever do. Never had the flu shot and probably never will with this rushed government experiment. Still healthy as a horse.
I don’t know where you are getting your info but it is false! Google deaths due to COVID vaccine and you will get the truth.
Social media which is a harbinger of lies and media frenzy is passing on gossip that is patently untrue.
I won’t take the shot because of the recovery rate from getting the Chinese virus. 98% is pretty good results for me and for reasons I won’t go into, either I’m already immune or I’ve already had it and it doesn’t effect me…
My wife and I both got our first shots on Jan. 18. Second shot already reserved for Feb. 5.
Our local hospital actually called us to let us know that they had some vaccine left after doing scheduled vaccinations that day, and they were calling eligible people that lived close by. They had already compiled a list. This was 8pm that day.
Waiting in line as I respond to the poll. Both my wife, an RN and my self , over 65 are excited!
Stay safe, wear a mask, wash your hands and social distance!
Getting our FL drivers licenses Thursday, then hoping we can get on a list for “residents”. Getting the jab as full timers is not easy. ☹️
In Brevard County there is no list. You just have to try and get an appointment on line with the county health service or at Publix. Good luck with that.
We are Snow Birds from New York currently staying in Florida. Only Florida residence can get their Covid shots. We agree with that rule and will wait until we get back to New York to get our shots. Even Florida residence are having a terrible time trying to get appointments for their shots.
I will not go into the politics or policies knowing that those in power had many months to establish procedures and means to get the population inoculated. It is a tragedy how much death and suffering this nation has endured because of the incompetence of others that had the power and responsibility to address the situation and prepare for the safety of their citizens.
We hope all who need their shots are able to get them in a reasonable amount of time. Stay safe, Stay well and Safe travels.
Can you tell me what else could have been done to”address the situation and prepare for the safety of their citizens” that they didn’t do?
Governors and mayors had h the ex responsibility of listening to their local health advisors to set the standards for their areas. And the President fast forwarded the vaccine that is now being distributed as fast as it’s made. What else could have been done?
It would be interesting to see this same poll taken again about 1-2 months from now.
My husband and daughter (she is a frontline worker) get theirs today. I have to wait for 2 more cycles before I can get mine. That’s okay as I had a mild case so have the antibodies.
My wife and I will be vaccinated as soon as we can, but our assigned category is still down the list for Chattanooga, Tennessee.
I had my first Moderna shot last Friday. As of yesterday I have felt nothing. It was a piece of cake.
I am scheduled for my first Moderna shot on Feb 1.
You beat me – wife & I on 5th.
It’s more dangerous to get in your RV and drive 20 miles. But it’s your decision.
CORRECT!!!!
The wife got her’s this week, but I can’t get an appointment. Tried and tried, but none available yet.
Funny, I once thought it was cool that I was slightly younger than her.🥴
We were supposed to have had our first shot by now. But in our county, there is a shortage of vaccine. One of the causes is that one school district — one of the wealthiest school districts in the nation — told its faculty and staff members to lie, to say they were front-line healthcare workers. They did. They’ve all been vaccinated and people in their 70’s and 80s with additional risk factors have been left to get sick and die.
I live in northeast Wisconsin and am eligible for the vaccine now. After 3 days of calling every clinic, hospital and pharmacy in the area, I am told there is no vaccine available yet in this area. I would give anything to get the shot so life can somewhat get back to normal, but apparently I am in the “have not” sector. I did get on a waiting list to maybe get it in the next month or two after the politicians.
I am a 77 year old diabetic who lives in Michigan. No one around here is taking appointments because they do not have the vaccine. I will get mine as soon as I can get an appointment.
It looks like I can put my name on the list sometime late spring in New Mexico.
A Michigan resident residing in Florida 5 months of the year…got shot in a drive thru event that was very organized. Hoping for the same organization for second shot the first week of Feb. No side effects on first Pfizer shot….2nd one could be different but I’m prepared for it.
It doesn’t look like I will get one until spring. I am not in my home state until May. I am only 65 and healthy.
Wintering in AZ. This county is barely out of the gate. Being 73 with health issues, I’m behind Congress and many other politically correct healthy and younger citizens (and non-citizens). As for those who choose not to receive the shot for whatever reason, I get it …. thanks, I’ll happily take your turn.
I’m sorry you are taking that attitude but honor your right to do so. If you have underlying conditions it makes sense to talk with your doctor to get a medical opinion. As Jim pointed out, in general you are at more risk from driving and are certainly at more risk from not getting the vaccine and catching Covid19 than the alternative. I trust you are making your decision based on facts that are applicable to your situation. Hope you stay healthy.
38,000 deaths in California from Covid and 1 death from vaccination… That’s a no-brainer. I will get the vaccination.
Humans have a 99.87% survival rate with the virus. I will take my chances and not be a guinea pig.
I agree 100%……….
Me too. They haven’t tested this near enough.
Thank You David:
As someone else said, they will wait to see what the ZOMBIE Factor is first!
I got my shot two weeks ago from VA-I’m over 75 which is in the age group qualifying for vaccine here in AZ. No problem except slightly sore arm for a couple days. I feel good about it as a step toward easier travel in the months ahead.
I answered NO but my wife and I are scheduled for next Saturday.
Virginia is stumbling all over itself right now, so no we haven’t gotten the vaccine yet. Both 67 with several risk factors and eager to be vaccinated. Virginia vaccination data shows the state has received more than double the number administered and yet hospitals are complaining that they’re not receiving enough to make appointments for next week. What a sad and deadly display of incompetence.
I answered no. Last Saturday (23rd) I sent an email to our local hospital/clinic and also to the County Health Dept. Yesterday the County called – we have an appt. for Thurs. the 28th for our lst Moderna shot. We could have probably had the shot sooner but was in no big hurry as we aren’t going anywhere for awhile anyway. A bit concerned about the new strains however; and I hope this won’t be an annual requirement. (We are both over 75 with 1 issue each).
No, we choose not to be vaccinated until much much later, after the studies of those who received it. Our 32 year old niece (healthy) who as a teacher was required to get vaccinated, is hospitalized with organ issues. Our own doctor gave a patient the vaccination, and that person died 2 days later. It is too early in the process for us. If you choose to do so great. We choose to wait and make our own decision with more information to come yet.
No. What a cluster mess. I’m in AZ and watch tv out of Phoenix seeing all these cars lined up. What a waste of gasoline. More people than serum. I figure I’ll get mine maybe late July. Oh yah,someone said one day it’ll go away. Just wake up and it will be gone. Wishful thinking.
“Wake up and it will be gone” is called “herd immunity” and it’s a scientific reality and it’s how we develop immunity from the thousands of nasty bugs that surround us all the time.
vaccinations over last several months: Flu, dTP, Shingrex, and Pfizer Covid #1
Flu: sore less than 24 hours
dTP: sore less than 24 hours
Pfizer Covid #1 sore about 36 hours
Shingrex: that thing H U R T — sore and stiff several days!
of course nothing, and I do mean nothing, I’ve had so far as compared to the smallpox vaccination I got, complete with scars, when I was young.
My momma did NOT raise me to be a guinea pig or crash test dummy. I plan on waiting until 10 ~ 20 million “test subjects” are vaccinated and, 8 ~ 12 weeks later, show NO signs of adverse reactions. I’ve been “isolating in place” in a somewhat remote area since last March. As much as I would love to resume RV travels, I am not DYING to do so. The few times I have to go out to resupply, I wear a mask and, am continually amazed at the number of people who FAIL to take this simple precaution. I am up to date on all other vaccinations. I simply believe that prudence should be exercised with these new vaccines which have been rushed to market. Chuck, I know that you’ve recently been vaccinated and, I TRULY wish you the best. If an error is to be made on my part, it will be on the side of caution.
My husband thought pretty much like you re: waiting to see how other people responded to the vaccine before getting his. I was able to get one fairly early because I volunteer directly with hospice patients AND I’m well over 65. While I was waiting in line to get my shot, he decided he wanted one, too (it was first-come, first-served for medical/first responders/65+). He had a case of FOMO (fear of missing out). Amused me, since he’d been so hesitant initially.
My wife & I got ours the 2nd week it was available. The appointments were booking fast but Orange county had an excellent system set up. 1.25 hours from line up to discharge. We are due for 2nd in 2 weeks, can’t wait!! Oh BTW no side effects except a sore arm for a day. Don’t hesitate to get your shots as the faster we all get vaccinated the sooner we will reach herd immunity status.
We have to wait because it is not available for us yet. I may have been able to claim I am high risk but chose to wait until it’s available for my age group. Ohio is only down to 75 years old or older. I would prefer the Moderna vaccine but you don’t get to decide.
Being full time can’t get it until I get back to where my mail is delivered. Each state has its rules on who is eligible.
My wife and I just got the Pfizer vaccine today at the Clark County, WA fairgrounds. Scheduled the second dose while waiting for the 15 minute observation time after the shot. A friend sent us a link but all the appointments filled up fast.
The Covid vaccination isn’t available to us yet, but when it is, we’ll sign up right away! We’re happy for those who are getting it!
Got mine this past Friday. No issues,not even a sore arm. Get second dose in Feb. I hear most states have no issue if you live in another state. My home state is TN. I got shot in TX.
Both my husband and I got our first shots the second day they were available in our county. We get our second dose, hopefully, tomorrow. Three weeks after that they should be fully effective. It’s not perfect and we’ll still be careful but we’ll take the odds of surviving with the vaccine rather than without. We’re older and our county has an older population. Our death rate exceeds 4% with an average case age of 56. The death rate for those over 70 is much higher. That 98-99% survival rate includes all ages. We’re not kids likely to survive. We’ve already lost 5 friends or family members in our age group.
Maybe next year, no place to even try and get one yet. Since I be traveling for couple of months, won’t be allowed to get one in another state. Really not sure if should get one any way, think I’ll wait to see if those getting them become zombies.
I am scheduled to get my first shot on 1 February.
We are from Washington and had our first shots yesterday here in Riverside county Ca. No problem from being out of state residents. Hope to get our second shot in 3 weeks. Arms are a little sore this morning.
You all KNOW we’ll be seeing ads on TV in a few years that go like this: “If you got the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 you may be entitled to compensation”. 🙂
In the mean time, the manufacture of body bags have run out. Refrigerator semis are being used as portable morgues.
A BIG “No Thankyou” To The Experimental Vax!….
The vaccine is in short supply. Thanks for being so generous by giving you vaccine to someone else. It won’t be wasted. Hope you have no medical issues.
Had our shots last Friday in Riverside County Ca. You need an appointment and photo ID. It does not have to be from California. We are from Washington.
I not only got the first shot but also my second three days ago. I was lucky to get into the system of sign ups when it first started in late December. We will be leaving in March for our annual trek across the Country returning to October.
No poll, my wife and I got our first shots January 21st.
Here in rural PA there is no information on where to go, signup or anything. There should be a very publicized method to get people vaccinated, but there is nothing without jumping thru hoops that you don’t even know exist.
No, I got the virus in January; not eligible for the shot until Apr. Reading info about the vaccine and will decide whether to get it then.
Early on, mask and toilet paper shortages and anxiety. Now plenty everywhere.
Now vaccine shortage and anxiety. Probably plenty for everyone in May.