But Benjamin Kagan, of the Chicago Vaccine Angels, gets things off the ground for those who don’t have the time, resources or computer skills to locate a dose.
The 14-year-old monitors where and when vaccines are available and makes appointments for people on a waiting list.
“It’s a great feeling that I can help people. I personally helped 115 people,” Kagan said.
Kagan first discovered that he had the ability to navigate the vaccine system when he helped his grandparents living in Florida. During the winter breaks, he spent hours browsing remotely on various state websites and eventually made appointments for them.
“I just tried,” Kagan said. “I had four computers open and I tried them all and I was just lucky.”
Then Kagan heard about a group called Vaccine Hunters. He volunteered for the Chicago chapter at first, offering tips on how to locate the vaccine.
“I started getting all these private messages saying, ‘Benjamin, we need help, Benjamin, I can’t book myself, Benjamin, please help me,'” he said.
Kagan has compiled a spreadsheet with a growing list of people in need of vaccines and places where doses are available.
He said he found them rummaging through websites for pharmacies and grocery stores, especially late at night. This database helped him create his own group, Chicago Vaccine Angels.
“He has a huge heart,” said his mother, Ali Kagan. “He is a child who has always had a huge heart, has a lot of time and love for his grandparents and I think this translates to realizing how difficult it is, especially for the elderly.”
It was also hard for Ashley Novoa, whose community work takes her in and out of shelters. He secured the vaccine with Kagan’s help.
“We have these people stepping up and then a teenager at that, who could be out doing things with his friends. So it’s amazing,” Novoa said.
“It’s just an incredibly nice feeling to be able to say I helped this person. Maybe I saved their lives,” Kagan said.
Kagan said he would like to see a single website listing all the places in the area that offer vaccines and the times they are available.
Meanwhile, he said he is happy to do everything he can to help.
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