What’s up with the state’s vaccine registration system?

Florida launched a vaccine registration system late last month, but we don’t know a whole lot about it.

WINK News is working to earn your trust by getting you answers to the many questions you sent us. One question we’ve heard repeatedly: how long are people in the queue for?

While hundreds of people waited in line for their second COVID-19 vaccine shot, Rebecca Leahy and her husband drove from Marco Island to northern Ohio for her first one. The snowbirds say Ohio had the vaccine ready for her first.

“It’s disappointment after disappointment and I think without that disappointment, we may not be making this drive. But my psyche just can’t take anymore,” she said.

Vivian Galligan of Collier County is starting to feel the stress, too. “There’s so much unknown that it creates a lot of tension.”

After so many failed tries on websites and phone lines, Galligan and Leahy entered their information into the state’s pre-registration system – but they’re still waiting for an appointment.

The Florida Department of Health in Collier County said Galligan’s name is on the state’s list, but the county is still transitioning to the state’s system so Galligan won’t receive an appointment until then.

Lee County said 2,800 people who pre-registered received their first shots last week, and 2,500 are getting their first shot this week.

As more doses come in, people on the pre-registration list will get a call, text or email. If you miss the call, the state says they’ll try to get in touch with you several times. You should expect a phone call from a number with the same area code of the county you registered in.

You’ll get an email confirmation once you book your appointment.

The FDOH in Hendry County said that each week, they let the vendor know how many vaccine doses they have. The vendor will then make that many appointments, going in order of who registered first.

Those eligible for the vaccine in the state can visit myvaccine.fl.gov to get pre-registered.