The first-come, first-served, first-served plan led to queues overnight on Tuesday as people camped on the lawn and waited for several hours.
Bruce Scott told CNN that he reached feet. Myers’ vaccination place is at 1:30 in the morning, and then waits in line for about 8 or 9 hours for vaccination.
He then said: “Although I am very happy to get the vaccine, I feel that there must be a better distribution method.” “For those who really need it, they may be elderly people with some degree of disability. They cannot tolerate the process, so they must There is a better way to manage it.”
The long wait is a preview of what appears to be a turbulent vaccine launch, reflecting the public’s depressed demand for vaccines and the logistical difficulties of orderly management of vaccines.
Florida is one of the few first states to begin providing vaccinations for the first batch of healthcare workers and long-term care facilities. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the state has managed more than 150,000 vaccines so far, more than any country outside of Texas.
County sees huge demand for vaccines
Other counties in Florida are trying to set up vaccination appointments for people who register online or through the hotline.
70-year-old Fran Lundell and 73-year-old husband Andy (Andy) were successful signings. They waited for the vaccine after waiting for a car at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on Tuesday.
They said that as soon as they announced the announcement, they went to the county website to make an appointment. Fran got a date quickly, but it took Andy four to five attempts to get a spot.
Flandre Lundell said: “We think we are lucky.” “We think maybe we will get it in March or April, but it’s great to get it for sure.”
Jim Seltzer was also vaccinated on Wednesday, praising the county’s work.
He said: “I think the meeting is well organized. I think they did a good job.” “I mean, it’s a long wait, but you know, I expect so.”
The website states: “We are working hard to expand our infrastructure to meet the growing demand.”
In South Florida, Broward Health said that all its appointments are booked until February.
Focus on the elderly rather than basic workers
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee recommends that first-line health care workers and personnel in long-term care facilities be vaccinated first, followed by Florida.
The CDC committee then recommends that states vaccinate people over 75 years of age and “necessary workers on the front line” (such as first responders in “Phase 1b”). Subsequently, the committee recommended that in “phase 1c”, the state should vaccinate adults aged 65-75, high-risk medical personnel aged 16-64, and “other essential workers”.
However, Disantis said the state prioritizes all people over 65 years of age, followed by young basic workers.
He said: “If you are a 22-year-old food service staff, for example, in a supermarket, you will be more popular than 74-year-old grandmother.” “I think that is not the direction we are going.”
CNN’s Rosa Flores, Sara Weisfeldt and Denise Royal contributed to this report.
