FDOH-Collier looking into alternatives to current appointment system

Reporter: Gina Tomlinson Writer: Jackie Winchester
Published:
Credit: via WINK News.

Officials in Collier County say they’re researching alternatives for the current COVID-19 vaccine appointment system.

Many have been frustrated with the Eventbrite website, which is being used to book appointments.

“Forty-five minutes of looking at the same screen, doing the same thing continuously without giving me any update as to the status of my request, ought to be easy enough for Eventbrite to do that, I would think,” said Jim Edholm, a Collier resident.

After the flaws with Eventbrite, Kristine Hollingsworth with the FDOH in Collier County said they’re looking at alternatives.

“We know that there are phone-based systems, we know that there are other quote-unquote lottery-type systems, we know that every system is going to have a flaw,” she said.

That’s of little solace to Jill Brader. She just wants to know how long she’ll have to wait for her shot – or at least a spot in line.

“I sat on there 50 minutes waiting, thinking I’m going to get tickets and I don’t get tickets. By that time, everything is sold out,” Brader said.

“Yesterday alone, we had 150 spots get rereleased. You must keep refreshing your browser in order to keep having those appointments open up,” Hollingsworth said.

Many who got a notification not to refresh say they didn’t receive an update either.

“Right now, I can’t do anything except pretty much grocery shopping,” Brader said.

There has been no word on a timeline for a new system, or when the county may receive more doses.

Eventbrite has not answered our inquiries on the matter.


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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