No consultation required to receive St. Johns County COVID-19 vaccine, says health department

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – After a day of confusion over the COVID-19 vaccines that generated long lines at the St. Johns County Health Department, Jake Quigley, the county health department’s business manager, told News4Jax that there is no need to book an appointment to receive the vaccine.

Cars started lining up at 5:30 am on Friday, hoping to be shot before the office closed at 3 pm.

According to Quigley, the telephone system for scheduling appointments has crashed and there is currently no way to reserve a place. The department’s website said that all consultations for this week had been made, but some of the 280 vaccines administered on Thursday were for people who had no appointment. Quigley acknowledged that there is confusion and frustration over the department’s distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

There is a huge demand that exceeds the supply of vaccines. Quigley said more than 55,000 people were competing for one of only 3,000 vaccines available this morning. It is unclear how many vaccines will be distributed on Friday.

More than 32 cars were in line outside the St. Johns County Health Department at 6:15 am. The authorities will start vaccination at 9am. The department did not indicate that people who were able to make appointments would receive preferential treatment or be treated first.

The health department is asking for patience.

In Duval, Clay and Putnam counties, health departments have made it clear that people who come by appointment will not receive the vaccine.