Frustration, more disappointment for process to get a vaccine in Lee County

Reporter: Taylor Petras Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

Many people planned their day around the COVID-19 vaccine registration process in Lee County Wednesday.

We talked to several people who say reservations are taking over their lives, and they must plan out time to call in. Those not vaccinated are frustrated they still haven’t had any luck.

Beverly Morford and her husband woke up at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

“Two iPad, two cellphones and a laptop,” Morford said. “And we were just working at it, punching those numbers.”

Linda McCarthy got to her 12:30 p.m. dentist appointment very early to make phone calls from the parking lot.

“Heart was just pounding because I wanted to get there, and I couldn’t wait to get on the phone,” McCarthy said.

People are jumping through hoops during their daily grind all for their chance at a COVID-19 vaccine, only to be met with dropped calls, busy signals and overbooked appointments.

“I was just so disappointed because I went through this the last time,” McCarthy said.

“The only change I saw was a different phone number,” Charlene Paddock said. “That’s all I saw today.”

Like the others we spoke to, Paddock wants to get back to a normal life.

“That’s what’s hard,” Paddock said. “We don’t have 20 more years or 30 more years.”

But trying to get the vaccine has put everything on pause.

“You don’t want to miss when additional doses come through,” McCarthy said. “To run into these problems each and every time, it’s disheartening.”

People are disheartened and disappointed, but optimistic to try again.

“We’re on hold until the next time we can call again,” Paddock said.

“We’ve got it down pat,” Morford said. “We know how to push those buttons.”


If you did not get through to the call center or got disconnected for Lee County vaccines, there are no callbacks or preregistration this time around.

You’ll have to go through the process again once vaccines are available.

There is a help line now for the call center if you have questions. You can’t book an appointment there, however.

The United Way 211 line is activated for questions related to the vaccine and its rollout in Lee County. Call 239-433-3900 or dial 211.

RESOURCE: WINK News is working by the minute on a daily basis to bring our coverage areas in Southwest Florida the latest COVID-19 vaccine information from the counties you live in.

Visit our COVID-19 vaccine schedules and information for SWFL story for rolling vaccine updates.

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