Successes and frustrations of trying to get a COVID-19 vaccine at Publix

Many of those over the age of 65 in Southwest Florida have been struggling to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As appointments at places like Publix fill up in a matter of minutes, many are feeling discouraged.

Others, who have been lucky enough to get their first appointment or are now fully vaccinated, are rejoicing. But even they know, this long road is far from over.

Bob Carpenter lives in Port Charlotte and has been using every piece of technology he has available to get a vaccine appointment for his wife. So far, no luck.

“I have been on that computer every time Publix has put something out,” Carpenter said.

He has also used his tablet and his phone to aid in getting that coveted vaccine appointment. Finally, it worked.

“I was getting a little discouraged and I was like ‘here we go again and then boom a new green light popped up at the top,'” he said. “It was the first time I got in that fast. Fast like 15 about 20 minutes.”

Not everyone has had that same luck. Judy Murdoch of Rotonda West is trying and has been for a while, to get an appointment for her husband. He is an Air Force veteran and a two-time cancer survivor.

“It’s become an adrenaline game actually trying to get through,” Murdoch said.

Publix said its appointments didn’t open right at 7 a.m. and many of you called and emailed WINK News wondering what was going on.

“The numbers didn’t count down like they normally do you normally see each county changing as people sign up,” Murdoch said.

Eventually, she got into the site but her issues didn’t stop there.

“I waited, I picked eight different time frames and every time they told me it was full and then I had to try again,” Murdoch said. “Two minutes later my screen went gray and it said Publix has an error in their system.”

So now, she’s back to square one.

Even with an appointment, Bob Carpenter is still holding his breath. “Until that shot goes in the arm I just keep on pins and needles,” he said.

Publix filled 48,000 slots Friday morning and will open up its website for more appointments next Wednesday at 7 a.m.