Georgia — The Coastal Health District in Georgia announced a vaccine appointment website Monday.
This will be in addition to the phone line residents can still call to book an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Lawton Davis, the district’s health director, said the website should help curb some of the frustration with slow rollout to date.
Two weeks ago, the health department put a hold on any new appointments because the demand was far greater than the supply.
Dr. Davis told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant that the Coastal Health District would book about 4,400 first dose appointments a week on a first-come, first-served basis through its website.
As of Monday afternoon, all appointments were booked, but residents are encouraged to check daily.
The health department is only scheduling appointments eight days in advanced to potential delays in supplies.
“We’ve known all along it’s been very frustrating for people trying to get in through telephone,” Dr. Davis said. “I know people are tired of hearing ‘please be patient’. But quite honestly, it’s a numbers game and there’s more people trying to obtain the vaccine than we have doses of the vaccine.”
Last week, Action News Jax told you when the Coastal District stopped COVID-19 testing at some of its facilities, including St. Marys and Woodbine, to instead shift focus to vaccinations.
All testing has moved to Glynn and Chatham counties.
On average, Camden County was completing a total of about 100 tests a week and was only open for testing on Tuesdays.
Dr. Davis said appointments for the second dose will be made while residents receive their first dose, and the health department recommends going to the same facility.
He added that the state of Georgia is also working on a state-wide website for vaccine scheduling which he said is expected to be available sometime in February.
Cox Media Group
