FORT PIERCE, Florida – The Department of Health in Florida at St. Lucie County has experienced ‘violations’ with its appointment system for the COVID-19 vaccine, which has forced the agency to cancel many appointments, officials said.
Health administrator Clint Sperber told a news conference Friday morning that the breaches took place with the country’s Eventbrite appointment system.
The problem arose when people who were not eligible to make an appointment gained access to the Eventbrite program.
Sperber said the health department issued specific instructions to people who received their first dose of the vaccine, and the instructions showed them how to register for their booster shot.
“Somehow people shared the address with other people and eventually they overloaded our appointments for everyone,” Sperber said. “As a result, we had to cancel all the appointments.”
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Because of the violations, Sperber said the health department set up a door-to-door vaccination clinic COVID-19 on Feb. 1, 2 and 3 in St. Louis. Lucie County Fairgrounds hosts daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
However, the clinic is only for people who received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the fair on 9, 11, 12 and 13 January.
“If you did not receive a vaccine that day, do not show up,” Sperber said. “Do not bother to come again unless you have received your first vaccination on one of these days.”
If you have received your first dose of Moderna vaccine, come to the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds for your second dose.
For those who received the Pfizer vaccine on January 9 or 11, come to the fair on February 1 for your second dose.
For those who received the Pfizer vaccine on January 12, come to the fair on February 2 for your second dose.
For those who received the Pfizer vaccine on January 13, come to the fair on February 3 for your second dose.
Bring your CDC vaccination card, state issuance containing your address and date of birth and consent form.
Health officials said Friday there are currently no new mass vaccination events scheduled for the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“They will announce it as soon as the inventory is determined to be adequate,” said Howard Tipton, provincial administrator. “A lot of patience is still needed because vaccine production is increasing.”
Tipton said he expects an increase in supply soon.
According to the latest figures from the Florida Department of Health, 21,643 people received the COVID-19 vaccine in St. Louis. Lucie County received.
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine in St. Lucie County, click here.