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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla .– Many seniors are still struggling to secure an appointment for their first COVID-19 vaccine, while tens of thousands of Floridians are late for the second dose.
Eduardo Castro is a nurse practitioner on the Treasure Coast. His second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is scheduled for February 3, but he said it wasn’t a sure thing.
“I received my first vaccine on January 6 and it was Moderna,” Castro said. “The response we got is that we hope they get one in time before the scheduled date.”
Castro is just over two weeks old, but according to the Florida Department of Health, nearly 41,000 people in the Sunshine State are late for their second dose of the vaccine.
“We have lots coming in and all of a sudden they run out and they say we’ll have more in two weeks,” said Dr. Leslie Diaz, Palm Beach County infectious disease specialist.
Dr Diaz said many people are late because of the low amount of the vaccine, but also because some people fear the side effects will get worse with the second vaccine.
“I think we need to focus and prioritize one thing, which is fear of the virus,” Dr Diaz said.
Dr Diaz said the side effects were normal and not serious and the virus was worse.
She and Castro warn that skipping the second shot means your vaccine won’t be as effective.
“The benefits outweigh the risk here because, yes, you can be sick for a few days, but you don’t know how COVID is going to affect you,” Castro said.
Dr Diaz said side effects can be treated with Tylenol and extra rest, and if you go over 20-30 days between injections, she still advises you to take the second dose.
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