Broward COVID-19 vaccine appointments are now made through a new phone number

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. After struggling with an online system, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County is making people eligible for COVID-19 shots over the phone through the state’s appointment planning system.

Elderly 65 and older and health workers in the front line can call 866-201-6313 to request an appointment, effective immediately, officials announced Thursday morning.

For those who need TTY access, the number is 833-476-1526.

‘When people dial the appointment number, they will be asked through an automated system to enter information using their phone keypad. “Live agents will call people back to make appointments until all current appointments have been filled,” the health department said in a news release.

“People who receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at DOH-Broward websites through this new appointment system will be asked to plan their second dose through this new system.”

Those who received the first dose at a DOH-Broward site without making an appointment with the new system do not need to make an appointment for their second dose, officials say.

“They must return to the same site on the date written on their vaccination card, at the same time as arriving for their first dose,” the health department said. “Except that these individuals receive their second dose, no one will be served without an appointment.”

The previous website appointment system was constantly having problems with the registration portal, and many seniors said they would be more comfortable logging in by phone.

The DOH-Broward vaccination sites, which are appointments only, are located at:

> Tradewinds Park, 3600 West Sample Road, Coconut Creek

> Vista View Park, Southwest 142nd Avenue, Davie

> Markham Park, 160001 West State Road 84, Sunrise

> Holiday park, 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive, Fort Lauderdale

> Central Broward Regional Park, 3700 NW 11th place, Lauderhill

Overflow agreements are also made at Coral Square Mall, 9469 W. Atlantic Blvd., Coral Springs

Dr Paula Thaqi, director of DOH-Broward, said that of the 100,090 vaccine doses already provided in the country, 53,295 of the shots were fired at the DOH-Broward sites.

Hospitals, senior communities and other institutions also offer shots to eligible patients via separate systems.

Visit http://broward.floridahealth.gov for more information