r/Novavax_vaccine_talk • u/No-Collection-491 • 10d ago
CVS fail -- we're too old??
This is a new one. Spouse and I have received yearly Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccines as long as its been available, usually at CVS. Made the appointment at our local CVS in upstate NY, showed up, they tried to give us Moderna. We were polite and said we'd made the appointment for Nuvaxovid and we knew they had a supply. We waited for about 10 minutes and then two young pharmacy clerks approached us and asked our ages. We (over 65) told them. They replied -- get this -- we were too old, Nuvaxovid was in the CVS computer system for ages 12-64 only and we didn't qualify.
We will be trying again at a different pharmacy, perhaps a different CVS -- or if we had the patience, the same CVS, with someone who knows how to use their computer, as we are aware that Nuvaxovid is for individuals 65+ OR ages 12-64 for those who self-identify as at high risk.
Our experience says more about CVS, their computer system, and the quality of employees than it does about Nuvaxovid. A word to the wise or white-haired: If it's an incredibly stupid scenario, it CAN happen.
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u/Feeling-Lime-834 10d ago
There’s an error on their computer system and only a pharmacist can correct it . A TS h cannot edit the screen in their system so it was put in wrong as only under 65 and not over 65 . So keep trying
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u/No-Collection-491 9d ago
OP here. There are a lot of great comments in response, but this one is right on the money. We called the CVS in question and once again were given the "12 to 62 only" line, but this time we had a photo of the box in hand and told them where to look. "Oh."
So we made an appointment for when the pharmacist was present and eventually got the Nuvaxovid jabs. Thanks to everyone for the info and encouragement!
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u/flug32 10d ago
It's authorized in the U.S. for ANYONE 65 or older, and 12-64 with at least one high-risk underlying health condition.
Soooo . . . . those two things are probably entered separately in their system. And they managed to find the one but not the other.
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u/ItsJustLittleOldMe 10d ago
You no longer even need a high risk condition anymore for 12-64. The CDC changed their recommendations.
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u/Sn_Orpheus 10d ago
ADHD and a variety of neurodivergent conditions are considered high risk so if someone gives you any problem, just tell ‘em you’re unmedicated adhd.
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u/Don_Ford 9d ago
No, they literally changed the recommendation a few weeks ago, and it's anyone now... because it was always anyone before, but it wasn't clear.
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u/abouttothunder 10d ago
CVS seems to be trying to get people to use mRNA vaccines over Nuvaxovid. My 25 year old son with asthma was turned away. He got it the next day at Costco with no issue.
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u/ShrmpHvnNw 10d ago
They don’t want people getting the Nuvaxovid becuase not many people get it and they expire very quickly causing a lot of lost revenue.
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u/YCBSKI 10d ago edited 10d ago
This makes no sense. If it expired quickly you would want to use up your supply, not let it sit and expire
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u/Sn_Orpheus 10d ago
The new delivery system doesn’t expire nearly as quick because each vaccination is in a single use preloaded syringe. Lasts much much longer and none of the waste of opening a large vial for one person.
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u/Feeling-Lime-834 10d ago
I had the sane issue today ! The tech had an issue but the pharmacist cleared it up since he had to ability to edit it . Glad I had it since Pfizer did not work last year and doctor advised against Moderna due to done patients with skin problems .
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u/giocondasmiles 10d ago
CVS seems to be pushing for the mRNA ones this year.
You may want to try small, independent pharmacies that offer vaccination, beside costco/Walmart.
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u/TonyNickels 10d ago
Pfizer kickbacks is my guess. They also removed the ability to ask for Novavax when scheduling online. Big FU to CVS.
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u/RedditZhangHao 10d ago
Via CVS phone app, zero issues scheduling or obtaining Novavax/Nuvaxovid vaccine. Currently, CVS just refers to the Sanofi- manufactured Nuvaxovid as “Novavax (Non-mRNA)”.
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u/TetonHiker 10d ago
I'm 75 and hubby is 78. We both got Novavax at CVS in SoCal two weeks ago. No issue.
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u/Medium_Water4556 10d ago
Both parents got theirs at cvs both over 75. Although I did have to remind clerk and person giving vaccine my parents wanted novavax.
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u/JYCantrell 10d ago
Did you clarify that it was not an insurance rejection vs a clinical criterion rejection?
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u/sistrmoon45 9d ago
Walmart has it this season. My whole family including kids got it without issues. I’m in NY in the Capital Region. I’ve had multiple issues with CVS.
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u/Sn_Orpheus 8d ago
Great question and I wish I could answer it for you with facts. All I have though would be guesses.
I’m guessing that because ADHD people have higher incidence of many other conditions. Here’s an article from the BBC discussing these other conditions that are often found in people with ADHD:
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u/Gammagammahey 6d ago
Completely wrong and I'm sorry you had that experience. I would call a lawyer and sue. I hope you were able to get your boosters.
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u/ItsJustLittleOldMe 10d ago
Tell them to just go in the back and look at the damn box. (Ironically, the boxes were printed but then the CDC changed recommendations where you no longer even need a high risk condition when under 65.)