Florida Governor Ron DeathSantis said “In the state of Florida, our priority is our senior citizens,” Anyone 65 years or older was told they could get a COVID -19 vaccine shot. However the demand is high and the supply short.
My sister in south Florida has been trying to get the vaccine ever since it was announced that it was available for senior 65 and older. She called CVS and they had no clue what was going on. She called the local hospital and was told that once front line workers and the Vets got shots it would become available for seniors. She continued her quest calling another hospital. She then called the health department and got a recording and left a message.
She then found out that the shots would be available at a local park but then discovered that appointment slots needed to be filled out online. So many people went to the online appointment site that it crashed. She found out she needed a consent form and then found out the distribution was paused until January 6, 2021. Another city had phone appointments available but the appointments filled up in minutes. She is now considering driving to another county to try and get the shot. This has become her full time job to try and find a way to get vaccinated.
Some seniors have been waiting in long lines overnight in an attempt to get the vaccine. This is now week four of the roll out of the vaccine in Florida. Though the governor claims his priority is to vaccinate Florida seniors, he has left the distribution up to each individual hospital, creating chaos and inefficiency. He seems to have learned from Trump how to take no responsibility for distribution. Assisted living facilities are still waiting for vaccines. Rather than answer reporter questions he just barks loudly.