Published: 4/2/2021 12:00:12 PM
When Bob Tonkin pulled up to Steeplegate Mall to get his COVID-19 vaccine, he thought he must be in the wrong place.
He had heard about the ruthlessly efficient drive-through vaccination sites that had people in and out within a matter of minutes. As he neared the entrance to the old Sears department store in Concord, he saw a line of people huddled under blankets that snaked around the building to the front of the nearby J.C Penney.
Tonkin, a 41 year old man from Canterbury, had an appointment for 2:20 p.m. He said he didn’t end up leave the vaccination site until 6 p.m.
Jake Leon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the Concord vaccination location immunized about 2,300 residents Thursday, hundreds more than they would on a typical day. About four weeks ago, a vaccine site at Southern New Hampshire university closed due to an overnight windstorm, which sent hundreds of people to the Concord site instead. On Thursday, that large group of people returned for their second dose.
While increased traffic was anticipated, many people showed up at the same time, causing a backlog.
Many of the people waiting in line around Tonkin were decades older, waiting to get their second dose. Several people struggled to stay on their feet long enough to get their shot. An older man whom Tonkin chatted with ended up leaving before he could get his shot.
“He was beside me; he lasted for maybe an hour,” Tonkin said. “And he said, ‘I can’t stand up anymore.’ I felt awful.”
Leon said anyone who was unable to wait to get their shot can bring their appointment confirmation to Concord or SNHU over the next few days and their appointment will be honored.
As the sun started to set and the temperature dropped down into the low 30s, he said people went into the nearby J.C. Penney to buy blankets and socks. Tonkin, who initially wore shorts and sandals, changed into the ice fishing clothes he keeps in his car.
Susan and Richard Tallman, a couple from Northfield, huddled under a red blanket while the line slowly inched forward. They were surprised to see the long line but figured it would move quickly. One of Susan’s friends was able to get through the vaccine line in under 20 minutes earlier in the week.
“I figured, eh, the line will go quick,” Susan Tallman said. “It didn’t.”
Signs were posted that urged people to stay six feet apart, yet Tonkin said most were huddled together, trying to get into the building as quickly as possible. Inside was no better.
“Inside, there’s stuff that says six feet apart, but nobody was six feet apart,” he said. “Not at all”
At a press conference Thursday, Perry Plummer, who has been leading the vaccine effort in New Hampshire, said long wait times at vaccine sites could be attributed to bad weather and an influx of appointments. He said medical emergencies within the vaccine clinic could also explain long lines.
Leon said as soon as the department became aware of the delays, they doubled the number of vaccinators on site, moved as many people inside as fast as possible and set up chairs for people waiting in line outside.
“While we are unable to predict weather events, this was an isolated incident and we are confident that it will not be repeated,” Leon said.
Overall, Governor Chris Sununu hailed the newest phase of the state’s vaccination efforts “historic, with nearly 150,000 appointments scheduled in a single week
“The light at the end of the tunnel is well within sight,” Sununu said. “The COVID-19 vaccine is our shot to get back to normal, and we encourage all Granite Staters to do their part and sign up for an appointment today.”
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