Like most young people her age, Camdyn Wu — a junior at San Marino High School — was optimistic at announcements that a COVID-19 vaccine was imminently available and the end of the coronavirus pandemic was approaching.
While there was much to celebrate, the good news also arrived with a whole new set of challenges.
“When the vaccine became available to seniors 65 years and older, my family experienced a great deal of frustration in trying to help my grandparents book their appointments,” Wu said. “The official websites were difficult to navigate and time-consuming. It took us almost a week to finally find availabilities for my grandparents.”
The struggle spawned in Wu an idea that might assist many community members in securing their vaccinations. Wu, with the assistance of two of her friends — Chelsea An and Amber Tang — immediately launched Book-My-Vax as an avenue to assist senior citizens in acquiring their vaccines.
“After our success, my grandparents’ friends asked for help as well,” said Wu, who is also a member of the Titans’ tennis team. “We were able to help about 15 senior citizen friends secure appointments and I realized that there is a need for this service. For my grandparents and their friends, having appointments not only meant they would receive the vaccines, but it was also a burden off their shoulders.”
The service is free of charge and contactless. Prospective users are asked to text or call (626) 932-3400, send an email to bookmyvax@gmail.com or fax (626) 287-9630 as soon as possible. Wu and her assistants will walk senior citizens through the process.
“I learned that persistence, luck and speed are important in securing appointments,” Wu said. “Persistence and luck in that we do not know when openings will become available, so we need to check frequently. Once they are available, they fill up fast. We have been communicating with interested people through text, call, or email, and we all check the official websites frequently.”
SMHS Juniors Want to Help Senior Citizens Get Vaccines
