Thursday’s second dose event was last minute, but many people are happy

Many Lee County residents who got vaccinated by the Department of Health in Lee County have waited by their phones for a call to schedule their second dose appointment.

It never came.

“I was a nervous wreck,” said Judy Mathiesen, of Fort Myers. “For four days I had this phone in my hand all the time, I never went 4-feet from it.”

Mathiesen’s call never came and many others went without, but their luck changed on Thursday when Lee County quietly announced on social media that anyone who got the first dose from Jan. 5-9 should arrive at the old airport terminal, without an appointment, between 1 and 3 p.m. for their second dose.

The announcement was posted to social media at 8:30 a.m., almost five hours before people are supposed to arrive.

Previously, people were supposed to wait for phone calls to schedule their second doses, but on Thursday, Lee County Government posted on their Facebook page otherwise.

“I was just over the moon. And I’m here,” Mathiesen said.

Fort Myers Beach resident Crish Crownover felt panic prior to the announcement.

“I knew the vaccines were running out for now,” Crownover said.

Now, Crownover feels relief after getting the vaccine on Thursday.

“With all the tourists on the beach, it’s really not safe,” Crownover said.

If you are due for the second shot and didn’t make it on Thursday, go to the state’s pre-registration website and register.

And if you are waiting for the next round this upcoming week, Lee County has tweeted “calls to schedule second doses due next week have not started yet. We will keep you updated. Thank you for your patience.”

LINK: Pre-Register Now for the COVID-19 Vaccine