How old and high-risk does a FL resident have to be in order to get their covid vaccine? I'm managing my aunts (98 and 101) care from 1600 miles away. My cousin, who provides their daily hands-on care, has them on state and county waiting lists but I'm incredulous that they've not been able to get the shot yet. Am I being unrealistic? My own 91-yr old mom here in MN was automatically put on a waiting list through UCare, notified via email and will get a shot tomorrow. Should I be contacting UnitedHealthcare directly to see if they have their own waiting list/notification method (which may go faster)? I'm not yet on Medicare so don't understand its deeper workings. Anyone have any experience or suggestions?
I am so sorry that you are faced with this challenging situation.
Hoping that your aunts will be able to receive the vaccine soon.
It’s frustrating having to wait to be vaccinated.
Many people have said that this process isn’t as organized as they would like to see.
My brother told me the other day that vaccine is available at all Publix stores.
Is your cousin a sophisticated user of the Internet?
https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine
It looks like more appointments will be available after 2.12. You might want to check what time the site opens for making appointments; I'm told folks get up at midnight to do this.
I am going to assume that if they get an appointment, it will be a few days hence and they will have time to compose themselves.
My brother (in Florida) said that one 101 year old lady, told she had an appointment for the following Saturday said , "Oh no, I can't get it then. That's the day I have my bath".
It sounded to us exactly like something our mom would have said.
Good luck!
Even if your cousin has them on waiting lists for the waiting lists for the state/county public health service they can continue to try to score an appointment through Publix/Walmart.
https://myvaccine.fl.gov/
I found it impossible to get into the Publix que even when logging on at 5AM and staying on the page the whole time. All the slots fill in about an hour and a half, and that's never even making it to the waiting line :( So just know that the FL rollout has been slow. I've had my mom registered for weeks now and haven't heard anything.
It's possible that your aunts are in a county that has a better supply, so maybe they will get called sooner. Good luck. I hope they are able to get it ASAP.
Edit to add- I talked to my mom's primary care office yesterday and I was told that no doctor offices have the vaccine yet. :( Our governor here has done a terrible job, and MANY are waiting.
It has been a bit of a scramble no matter where you live, but FL always seems to be the leader of the pack!
It's also probably hard to get through because there are SO many seniors in FL!! Must be the nicer weather or something...
Hope this helps.
They collect some info on the phone, and call back with available appointment times. It has worked for several friends.
Is your Aunt in a nursing home, or living with someone?
I was able to sign my 81year old mother up this past Friday morning on Puplix.com/Covid-19 vaccine. Waited 3 hours on Wednesday morning so be patient, I was using 2 cell phones and a computer to be increase my chances.
My mother will be getting her vaccine this Monday the 15th and is already automatically signed up for 2nd dose March 15th. Hope this helps!
Thank you to everyone for giving me your insights and suggestions and support!
I know how frustrating it is, but it shouldn't be that difficult at their ages. I have two risk factors for serious COVID but am "only" 60, so still not eligible. But, as I said, everyone 65+ here has been able to get it in fairly short order.
Best of luck.
From what I understand each Wal*Mart that is participating in the program will receive 200 doses, No timeline for when more will be available. Although I do not know the quantity for Walgreens, CVS, Winn Dixie and other smaller sites but it will probably be around the 200 doses to start with. The quantities are very limited so far with the number of people waiting.
This has been mentioned before but to restate it:
THERE SHOULD BE NO COST FOR THE COVID VACCINE FOR ANYONE. Watch out for scams.
In Duval County/Jacksonville for the main site you call 1-866-200-3762. and leave your info. A few days later you get a call notifying you of you scheduled appointment
Also note that the vaccines, so far, do NOT prevent COVID but "should lessen your symptoms. This has not been widely publicized .
Florida has a very large senior base and with over 100 people moving to Florida daily, that is sure to grow. Also, many "snowbirds" are staying longer to try to get their vaccine here instead of their home state,
I hope this adds some insight to the problems.
My county refuses to join the state run system because they think their system is perfectly fine. We are the county that’s been in the national news, showing the cars backed up for 7 miles, waiting for their vaccines. Yup, doing just fine.
Our county has 600,000 seniors (not in facilities) and we are getting 1500 to 2000 shots per week. That means it will take about 6 years just to do the seniors! Grrrrrr!
I, her only local relative and POA, have recovered from a mild Covid infection and at age 76, am eligible for vaccination but will be denied for another month and a half because of the immunity no one knows whether I have or not, PLUS THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE VACCINE APPOINTMENTS IN MY GEOGRAPHIC REGION.
I blame the virus first and politics a microscopically close second. If the lies told about the pandemic at year ago were to prevent panic, I’m not too sure they were successful.
‘’Keep the faith”!
My cousin and hubs actually live in NJ and got "stuck" in FL for the full year due to covid. They haven't been home since March 2020. They asked me to go down to give them a break for about 2 months, which I will be doing. Packing up my 91-yr old mom, her 13-yr old dog, my laptop and heading down to FL to WFT (Work From Home) in a different state at end of May. This whole past year has been one unexpected change after another, which has had the benefit of "keeping me on my toes" and not getting complacent or assumptive about anything -- which happens very easily as we age. I do have sons and relatives who have also offered to come for a week here and there to help me during my stint. By time I get down there my mom will be 92, Aunt N 99 and Aunt A 102. Should be interesting. Thanks for all your responses and support on the vaccine topic. Here in MN I still haven't been called in for my 1st shot yet.