[toeser]

Originally Posted by skyking

I signed on this morning and was lucky enough to get in with about 50 Marion County immunizations remaining. I filled out the forms and the last page displayed the remaining open appointments. I chose a time and date and the message said I had completed the process. Then a screen came up with my information and a red notice that there was one item in error. It said the time requested was taken. It then returned me to the initial application page and locked me out. Who writes these programs?

As someone who has designed quick capture input programs, I will attest the design is terrible. If anyone from Publix is reading this, following is how the process should work once someone gets through the queue and is let in.

Pick a county that's available
Pick a location that's available
Pick a timeslot that's available

Assuming you clicked first, that timeslot is now yours and you have five minutes to input the required personal information. If you do not meet the requirements or you do not finish within five minutes, that timeslot is returned to be available for others.

This would be light-years faster than the input system they have designed.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by SIRE1

I was able to get in this morning and was able to get an appointment for my wife and I. I had looked at the TOTV post titled "A "Gambler’s Guide" to Booking a Vaccination with Publix" and used that as a guide to prepare "IF" I was able to get in. Had also printed a list of stores from the Publix website and selected a store in Ocala that looked to be a little way from any of the big retirement communities (e.g. The Villages, Top of the World, and Del Webb) where I thought a lot of people would select because it would be close to them.

Logged onto the Publix web site with a laptop, and 2 tablets about 5:55 am. Watched the screen refresh every minute until got the sign in link on one of the tablets. Nice thing is that once you go through the process and book an appointment, it allows you to book another one for your spouse right away. Was done around 6:40 am. Almost better than winning that big lottery, but that would have been nice too!!! Good Luck to everyone who couldn't get an appointment today.

Speaking of lotteries, did anyone ever think that a system of LUCK would eliminate all this confusion. This is a system mindless disorder.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by billethkid

We have been sitting tight since March of 2020 and see no need to participate in the race to get a shot during the lack of supply period....hence we will wait until adequate vaccine is available....
more like March/April.

I am amazed at post #13. It seems like people are doing enough WORK and utilizing math and computer science to the extent of researching for a cure for cancer - just to get an appointment for a vaccine shot. It seems to me that ALL that complexity is what we have paid taxes for all of our lives to have government DO for US! To me, the disappointment does not lie with Publix. It lies with government!

[gpk111]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I am amazed at post #13. It seems like people are doing enough WORK and utilizing math and computer science to the extent of researching for a cure for cancer - just to get an appointment for a vaccine shot. It seems to me that ALL that complexity is what we have paid taxes for all of our lives to have government DO for US! To me, the disappointment does not lie with Publix. It lies with government!

Jimjam,
I authored post #13! Thanks for elevating this to an ethereal 40,000 foot level! I could not agree more!!!

I chose to ignore the complaints and how wrong this all is and focused on helping those who were looking for help. I used what's available. Just another approach!

Thanks again for adding perspective to my day.

Gerry

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I just received my shot at Gainesville Va it was an appointment for 1:-15 for over 75 but there is a sign that says no appointment needed they took me right away an hour before appointment , I guess they don’t have to many over 75 veterans who aren’t in nursing homes lol

[gpk111]

Originally Posted by toeser

As someone who has designed quick capture input programs, I will attest the design is terrible. If anyone from Publix is reading this, following is how the process should work once someone gets through the queue and is let in.

Pick a county that's available
Pick a location that's available
Pick a timeslot that's available

Assuming you clicked first, that timeslot is now yours and you have five minutes to input the required personal information. If you do not meet the requirements or you do not finish within five minutes, that timeslot is returned to be available for others.

This would be light-years faster than the input system they have designed.

Agreed. Similar to the "Eventbrite" system. Some counties are using that, but has its own flaws and would not be able to handle the county and store delineation.

[kcksmom]

Originally Posted by navinle

Just spent an hour on this website trying t get a nearby appt. It took 40 minutes to let me on the site to fill out an application--then when I was ready to confirm they said someone had beat me to it. Only Deland had times available. Even if I could have got one then I would have then had to try to find a time for my wife. This whole thing is a terrible bad joke!

45 minutes into the wait, I received request to register in Marion County. As with you, by the time I was ready to confirm, all available doses were gone. Missed out again. Will try tomorrow.

[rphil11ort]

thanks for that number, not afraid enough of this thing to spend hours and hours trying to sign up. Called the number and am in the Q at least waiting for the call back and only took 5 minutes

[terrild53]

We’ve been thinking the same thing!!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by gpk111

Jimjam,
I authored post #13! Thanks for elevating this to an ethereal 40,000 foot level! I could not agree more!!!

I chose to ignore the complaints and how wrong this all is and focused on helping those who were looking for help. I used what's available. Just another approach!

Thanks again for adding perspective to my day.

Gerry

Well, that IS something positive to do, it helps society to stay healthy. My particular brain could NOT hold all the computer science and details to do that. But, having done that, it is great to have a willingness to teach others the same skill. More power to you. I am completely amazed and impressed.

[cj1040]

What store in ocala did you select?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by toeser

As someone who has designed quick capture input programs, I will attest the design is terrible. If anyone from Publix is reading this, following is how the process should work once someone gets through the queue and is let in.

Pick a county that's available
Pick a location that's available
Pick a timeslot that's available

Assuming you clicked first, that timeslot is now yours and you have five minutes to input the required personal information. If you do not meet the requirements or you do not finish within five minutes, that timeslot is returned to be available for others.

This would be light-years faster than the input system they have designed.

The problem with that is that The Villages is spread across three counties. Depending on where you live in The Villages and where the vaccine is being administered you might want to go to a different county. Also some people might be willing to travel to other counties. I'd prefer to be able to see all of my options at once.

My experience was that I looked around the different sites to try to select the one that was closest. When I decided on one, it was full. My second selection was also full so I ended up with my third pick which was an hour's drive. No big deal but if you look at only one county at a time and that county is full, by the time that you get back to it it may be full.

What would be helpful would be to have the full addresses of the sites instead of just the county and town.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by billethkid

We have been sitting tight since March of 2020 and see no need to participate in the race to get a shot during the lack of supply period....hence we will wait until adequate vaccine is available....
more like March/April.

By then many more people will be vaccinated so the demand will be a lot lower. As of now, almost half of all Florida residents over the age of 65 have been vaccinated. We should begin to the the wait time go down soon.

[Viperguy]

Another wasted hour. Two computers, no hits

[Byte1]

I had three browsers open for the Publix site and watched as each vacancy filled up, never getting a link register for the shot. I started watching from 3:30am on but the only thing I got was refreshed sites every minute after 6am. Each time it refreshed, I scrolled down to the bottom to search for a link or box to open for registering our information.
Guess I will have to search other avenues to schedule an appointment for my wife. She's about ready to say "to heck with it" and leave the house, regardless of the threat. Can't really blame her.
Thanks for the information on the publix site. At least we know that some folks are getting their vaccinations. Guess every little bit helps in the long haul.