WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – The Florida Department of Health, Palm Beach County, announced Tuesday that residents age 65 and older can call to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, but the number did not work. noon.
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DOH posted a number, 561-625-5180, on its website, but later spokesman Alex Shaw said the hotline is inactive and they are working to resolve the issues.
“Our appointment line can only receive 150 calls at a time and is currently overflowing,” Shaw said.
The Palm Beach County Department of Health says the phone line for seniors to arrange vaccinations has dropped after being “overwhelmed” with calls.
– Matt Sczesny WPTV (@WPTVMatt) December 29, 2020
Health officials said they were encouraged by the high demand for the vaccine, but limited doses are available.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County said it is expanding its infrastructure to meet high demand.
A tweet from the department told people to “call again next week.”
Our appointment line has been overwhelmed. The number is correct. Call again next week.
– HealthyFLPBC (@HealthyFLPBC) December 29, 2020
Currently, the DOH in Palm Beach County is focused on meeting all current appointments and completing vaccinations for front-line health workers.
Patients are encouraged to speak with their primary care provider to answer questions about the vaccine before receiving it.
Dr. David Dodson said Tuesday that demand for the vaccine is growing.
“Our office is flooded with calls right now with people wanting to get the vaccine,” Dodson said.
Alina Alonso, head of the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, he said earlier this month that the Modern vaccine is being distributed in the county.
Health workers from various hospitals in the county he began to be vaccinated last week.
“Physicians’ offices need to be registered in Florida SHOTS, which is the statewide vaccine registry, and then we assume that once it’s available, they’ll go to doctors ’offices and CVS pharmacies and Walgreens to distribute them, ”Dodson said.
He hopes it will probably happen sometime between February and April, depending on how quickly vaccines can be made and whether more drug manufacturers are getting approval.
Dr. Larry Bush of the Palm Beach County Medical Society is an investigator of the AstraZeneca vaccine trial.
“The advantage of these vaccines coming to an end, now AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, is at least the AstraZeneca … it already has millions and millions of doses made and ready to be shipped. Two, it doesn’t need special shipping. “It can stay in the fridge for six months,” Bush said.
Doctors believe widespread vaccination could occur in the spring.
Those with more questions about the vaccine can call 1-866-779-6121 or email [email protected].