DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. After a busy few days of distributing vaccines in the Volusia district, provincial leaders are changing the way they handle vaccinations going forward.
This includes a new location and a new online system.
What you need to know
- The vaccine reached capacity for the second day in a row around 06:00
- Seniors said they just want to be able to embrace their grandchildren again
- Volusia has moved the distribution of vaccines to Deltona from Thursday
- County also started taking online appointments, all of which were booked
- RELATED: Taking a Vaccine in Central Florida: What You Need to Know
On Thursdays and Fridays, 1,000 elderly people receive the Modern COVID-19 vaccine every day by appointment only. The appointments were implemented on Tuesday afternoon at 15:00 and were all demanded by 15:11
This change is a welcome change for seniors who did not vaccinate at Daytona Stadium on Monday and Tuesday.
At 6 a.m. Tuesday, the vaccine closed its line at Daytona Stadium, which took 1,000 people a day on a first-come-first-served basis. Some motorists have been camping in their cars since 19:00 on Monday.
The vaccinations would only start at 09:00
Elderly people I spoke to have been in line since 14:30 Monday to be vaccinated at Daytona Stadium this morning. They slept with lots of food / water in their cars overnight and said it was worth it!
“I hope I can get the next chance soon so I can see the rest of my family.”@ MyNuus13 https://t.co/Nb4y1iaLFO pic.twitter.com/DHLhxZjjdU
– JSotoNews13 (@ JSotoNews13) 5 January 2021
On Monday, hundreds of people were turned away after dozens of cars were parked on LPGA Boulevard. The city decided to open the gates earlier for Tuesday, citing security.
According to Daytona Beach police, officials originally did not allow anyone to park overnight, but were quickly overwhelmed by the amount of people who showed up.
The Baileys stood in line at 2:30 a.m. Monday, bringing food and water so they could spend the night in their car. But when the site reached capacity and the line closed, they were still 6km away.
“I would love to see my grandchildren and spend time with them. I hope I can get the next chance soon so I can see the rest of my family,” Edward Bailey said.
The Haldermans are snowbirds from Missouri who also slept in their car.
“It was really nice because Missouri is a little bit behind. They still do nursing homes and stuff like that,” Kathy Halderman said.
Roger Phillips said Monday he was turned down after being told he could not camp Sunday night. Then he faced a decision after the line for Tuesday’s vaccinations began to form at noon.
Phillips tried again Tuesday morning.
“I’m not going to move. … If they threaten me with a ticket, give me the ticket, then I pay the ticket. “But I think it’s more valuable for me and my wife to be able to see our grandchildren and love on them than to turn down as we were this morning,” he told Spectrum News.
After Roger Phillips attempted to be vaccinated at Daytona Stadium, he’s glad he’s got an appointment to get vaccinated in Deltona now! Volusia makes the switch from first to first time to appointments. 2,000 appointments are booked today for the end of the week @ MyNuus13 pic.twitter.com/vvkimF8pa5
– Nicole Griffin (@ NicoleNews13) 5 January 2021
Phillips was able to secure appointments for himself and his wife on Tuesday afternoon. He said he could hardly book online, but that he could make an appointment by phone.
“I just think they need a better program, they need a better plan, a more effective plan to get this vaccine out,” Phillips said.
For those not vaccinated, more vaccines will arrive in Volusia County.
According to DeLand City Leaders, they have approved several sites to be used as vaccine distribution points. They claim they could have a vaccination opportunity as early as next week.