On Apr 12th, 2021, I got my 1st dose of Covid-19 vaccine at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA. I wanted to document my experience with the intention to help other’s plan theirs better.
From last week onward, friends and family started to share links in WhatsApp to book appointments for Covid-19 vaccination. My 1st attempt to register an appointment did not go well. It was a busy day at work, so I couldn’t focus and complete the process on time. Later in the night, when I got free time, I tried again but the link had already expired. Over the weekend I got similar links at a much closer location: 49er’s home venue (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA). On quick web search found out that Reddit had wider list of links for different locations in bay area. Keep trying the link everyday, if you are getting the error “Error: There are no vaccination appointments available for this clinic at this time. Please try another vaccination location or check back here again tomorrow.“. The official Santa Clary county link is not always working but Vaccine Spotter Tool was useful.
Required details before booking an appointment
- First name / Last name
- Phone Number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Home Address
- Insurance card details
- Questionnaire
Booking an Appointment (2 minutes per person)
My 2nd attempt was straightforward and hardly took two minutes to book appointments for each member in my family. If you planning to go as a group ensure you book on the same day and same location but having a different appointment time was totally fine. You can all stick together as a group with different appointment time provided the appointment date and location is same.
If you are booking for your family, you need separate appointments for each. You can all stick together as a group with different appointment time provided the appointment date and location is same.
After booking an appointment I got a confirmation email that had a QR code. This code is important on the day of appointment.
On the Appointment day (100 minutes may vary)
Driving to the location
When I selected the fastest route on Maps, it took me to the entrance via Tasman Dr, but unfortunately that entrance was closed. So I had to drive back to the entrance at the Old Glory Ln and Great America Pkwy intersection.
Since my entire family had appointment on the same day with different time, we were allowed to stay together the whole time. I noticed few families had brought their kids along with them but did not see anyone with a stroller but I think it is probably allowed. Please check with officials / volunteers before taking strollers.
Quick summary of steps to expect (refer to map photo above)
- Collect form, pen and pad:- On driving inside the entrance, they gave each of us pad, pen and form to fill out and asked us to go to a Parking Lot X.
- Park and fill the forms:- We parked our car and filled all the required forms.
- Wore mask and walked to the first queue together as a family. Near the entrance, a volunteer mentioned that the queue was much longer in the morning but now it is better.
- Queue 1 – Verify filled form:- We waited in the 1st queue for 15mins, where they verified the completed forms. In that form, we had left the “Eligible for vaccine” section empty, as we were not sure. The team that was verifying the details said that this section has to be filled. So I replied to them saying that we were not eligible for vaccines when I checked myturn website, the previous day, but the website where I booked my appointment allowed me to continue still. They insisted it is mandatory but there were trying to help us. They guided us by asking few questions. As we talked with them, I mentioned about the breathing difficulties I had faced during the California’s forest fire smoke’s bad-air-quality that prevailed for multiple weeks in the summer of 2020. With that information they said I can simply fill that section as “Health issues” without mentioning any further specific details. Rest of the family filled the same section as “caretakers”. But they also mentioned, after Apr 15th all person above 16 years will be eligible for vaccination, so this question won’t be mandatory in few days from now. As per ca.gov website, it is confirmed “Every Californian 16 and up will be eligible for vaccination on April 15, 2021.“
- Queue 2- Vaccination entry:- After that, we waited in another queue for 30-40mins before we entered the Levi’s Stadium building.
- QR code verification and vaccination type reveal:- After we entered the building, they verified our ID’s (photo id and insurance card) and scanned the QR code from the confirmation email. Then the person revealed that we would be getting Pfizer vaccination and gave us a card with required details. I think they pick a random vaccine between Pfizer and Morderna and let us know at that time. Our entire family got Pfizer as we were always together.
- Queue 3 – Vaccination:- We had to take the escalator to go to the vaccine spot. Waited in another queue for 20-25 mins.
- Got Vaccinated:- On our turn we went to the nurse who gave us the vaccine to each member and instructed us to get the second dose appointment by following a path.
- Queue 4 – 2nd dose appointment schedule:- We followed her instruction and waited in another queue for 10-15 mins to get the appointment for the second dose. We got the earliest available appointment date.
- Get seated at observation area:- After that they asked us to wait in observation area. Time to wait was written on the card by the nurse who vaccinated us. Once we spent the required time we informed the person in-charge in that area and walked towards the exit. The person in-charge mentioned that this card is very important for the following things:
- For getting 2nd dose
- As a proof of vaccination record (for office, travel) – So keep it safe
- Walk to the exit. Collect stickers:- We walked towards the exit and collected “I got vaccinated” stickers and left the building.
- Walk to the parked car:- Walked to the parking lot and came home.
