Publix vaccination appointments for DeSoto County booked within 30 minutes; no other SWFL slots Wednesday

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
publix vaccines

Publix is reopening the online reservation system for COVID-19 vaccine appointments all across the state, but not in Southwest Florida counties.

According to a news release, last week’s inclement weather disrupted shipping timelines, resulting in fewer appointments.

The system will open on Wednesday at 7 a.m. for appointments on Friday.

The vaccines will go to the following counties: Alachua, Columbia, DeSoto, Duval, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Leon, Manatee, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter and Suwanee. DeSoto was fully booked by 7:27 a.m.

Customers with appointments for their second dose are not affected and should check-in at the COVID-19 vaccine check-in area at their scheduled date and time.

The online reservation system will typically open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for appointments as long as the company continues to receive vaccine doses from the state and federal governments and barring unforeseen circumstances.

The most up-to-date information can be found on the Publix COVID-19 vaccine website.

Vaccinations are currently provided to individuals ages 65 and older.

The signup process has been adjusted, and the Publix website now comes with instructions: The sign-up page displays a counter ticking down until the next time the page refreshes. A list of Florida counties shows how many appointment slots (by percentage) still remain in each one. Many people will always be trying to sign up at once, so things may proceed slowly, but nothing needs to be clicked at first; the website brings you to a scheduling page automatically upon refreshing once room becomes available.

Publix appointments are for Florida residents 65 and older. You should be able to book multiple people.

During the Publix Pharmacy booking process, you may be asked for Medicare information if you are on Medicare. The shot is still given at no cost to you whether or not you choose to provide that information.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: If you got your first shot before the residency requirement change, you can still get your second dose without proving residency. Health care providers are exempt from the requirement. The requirement only applies to your first dose.

PDF: Residency requirement checklist

Click here to see the full list of Florida locations.

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