So it was time for my annual flu shot, and a COVID booster. I looked for the latest COVID booster through Google and Walgreens popped up. I looked at the options and was relieved to find spots in Loudonville available.
Due to the commonness of marketing, I'd imagined I'd gotten my last COVID inoculations at Walgreens: wrong. I went to CVS (I had a drive through COVID test three years ago at a Walgreens.) The cognitive dissonance didn't kick in until I was seated in the pharmacy.
I chose the Loudonville location because I was so traumatized at how filthy I found the last three locations where I'd gotten initial shots or boosters (they were all CVS stores...) Entering the Walgreens my decision to go to Loudonville was reinforced (I imagined that the store in this neighborhood would be clean, but I live in the town of Bethlehem and the two CVS stores there are a mess so clearly, it's a function of company more than location.) Besides going to Loudonville, ending up at Walgreens proved an incredibly smart decision. Just the waiting area for the shots (which was clean and had decent comfortable wooden armed chairs) was infinitely different. I was stunned that I was then taken into a private room to have the shots administered (at CVS you sit out in the open slightly shielded by a nylon screen, despite needing to partially disrobe so that they can properly administer the shots.)
Only after the clerk at the pharmacy front desk checked me in did I realize that I had the pharmacy companies confused (she verified my address, and it was a place I last lived 14 years ago...) I did attempt to give her my United Healthcare card, which she declined (why I don't know; she insisted she had everything she needed) so I have a sinking feeling that I might end up with a bill I'll need to get resolved.
After that, it was a very l o n g wait, till another clerk came out with a survey for me to complete and then after submitting that, another l o n g wait before a pharmacist brought me in to get the shots. Watching the action, it's evident that the store is a beehive, and that the pharmacy department is severely overworked (supporting ongoing reports about burnout and subsequent errors at Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid pharmacies across the nation.) I politely referenced the staff appearing to be worn ragged, and he indicated that there were delays that day as they weren't be assisted by pharmacy interns.
I don't know that I would come here with a prescription, though when I lived across the nation the local Walgreens was reliable. This staff looked pretty beleaguered, and it was only 11:30 in the morning and I could see that they were being worked relentlessly. What I do know is that knowing I can get a COVID booster here (my personal doctor doesn't have the vaccine) there is no way I'd go to CVS again. read more