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Images from Lee County have already become a national spectacle: Florida seniors swaddled in blankets, camping in line overnight outside testing sites for a chance to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
After spending most of the year in pandemic purgatory, many Floridians are anxious to get vaccinated. But the state of Florida has not established a clear distribution plan, leaving it to each county to determine how to deploy the doses.
The vaccine was already available to some health workers, especially those in large hospitals, and first responders. Governor Ron DeSantis has said Floridians over the age of 65 are the next priority. But many have expressed confusion over how and when to get the vaccine.
the Tampa bay times asked Floridians to share their experiences this week and many expressed confusion and frustration. Their answers, edited for length and clarity, offer insight into the questions that still swirl across the state.
Not enough appointments or information on how to book one
We saw on our phones that you can call the Broward County Health Department for an appointment. We called our daughter, our son-in-law, my husband and me. My husband finally got it and it was right after the cut. Within hours they were completely full. We have been isolated, we have done due diligence. So now the vaccine is coming out, but it looks like you have to win the lottery. Previously, we had to call radio stations to win prizes. This is what we felt today. And we didn’t win! – Christy McLellan, Boynton Beach, told to Gabrielle Calise
“It’s absolute chaos in Sarasota County. I spoke to the health ministry this morning and they said their limited numbers would be given to their frontline health workers (that makes sense). I would need to call back in several weeks when they will receive a larger supply. Less than five hours later, the health department announced that it was starting vaccinations for healthcare workers and people over 65 today, but all appointments had already been made. They gave the paperwork process needed to get a vaccine as more supplies arrive and noted that an appointment is required, but did not share any information on how to get an appointment. What’s going on? Can someone please move forward to bring clarity, organization and fairness to the COVID-19 vaccination rollout? Accessing life-saving immunization (to save your own life and the lives of others) shouldn’t be a cat-and-mouse game. This is what economically poor people have endured for years in our underfunded public health systems. It’s more dysfunctional and damaging than ever with the stress caused by COVID – not to mention politics. – Christine Maxwell, Sarasota
“300 doses available and 1,000 people online to get it. First come, first served, no appointment. Nothing but a clusterf – k. ” – Rick Feeney, Cape Coral
“I live in downtown St. Pete and have been very proactive in trying to get an appointment for the vaccine. Apparently there is no plan in place to distribute the vaccine to those 65 and over; despite the governor’s decree a week ago. I called the health service, CVS, hospitals and my primary care physician; no one had any details. I watched appointments get made in minutes in other counties. All I want to do is get a place in the queue; I too have health problems and like many I live alone and isolated. After hours online, I managed to get an appointment at half past two. Frustration and worry best describe how I feel. I would much prefer to get the vaccine in Pinellas County. – Bonnie Hechtkopf, Saint Petersburg
Many health workers are still not vaccinated
“I am a front line health care provider working in a large private practice not affiliated with a hospital. I represent a huge population of physicians, RNAs, PAs and ancillary providers who have been overlooked. We are not even included in essential workers. I contacted the Pinellas County Health Department and was told to follow the media for my age group. I wrote in vain to Marco Rubio, Governor DeSantis and Charlie Christ. I desperately want the vaccine because I’m 60 and see 30-40 unmasked patients a day. – Lou Ann Heckman, ARNP, Saint Petersburg
“I called [The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough] and said, “I am a doctor in private practice, when can I get the COVID vaccine? I did not get a clear answer, I was told that nowhere in Hillsborough had received a vaccine other than Tampa General Hospital; Long term care and high risk / high contact healthcare workers come first, everyone over 65 is next. —Tazia K. Stagg, MD, Tampa
“No information on when the vaccine may be available to dentists and hygienists, who are actively treating patients who may be infected and are not aware of it, even though we do screening. Aerosols are created, and although we were wearing full and proper PPE, the vaccine would provide additional safety to prevent disease. I support frontline medical workers who actively work with COVID patients receiving the vaccine first. – Steven Bloom, DDS
Others wonder when it will be their turn
“My 95 year old mother in law lives with my wife and I in Indian Rocks Beach. She was living in one of the long-term care facilities that was devastated by COVID. Luckily she tested negative and we got her out of there. We have been his caregivers since April. Ironically, if she was still in a house, she would be vaccinated. We are not worried about ourselves, even though we are in fact “helpers”. Can she get vaccinated? – Jim Arnold, Indian Rocks Beach
“I am in a very high risk group – immunocompromised with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia and bronchiectasis. Having both conditions puts me at the highest risk by CDC despite my age of 38, but all the vaccination centers so far say they don’t vaccinate until 65. My wife and I tried to call, going down the list. Most of the places we find just vaccinate the elderly. It seems sort of a mess. I find it disappointing that there has not been more structure and organization in the process. – Jeff Dawson, Hallandale Beach
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