An Action News Jax investigation leads to local health care workers getting Covid-19 vaccines

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An Action News Jax investigation leads to local health care workers getting Covid-19 vaccines.

“They said they were treated very nicely today, almost like red carpet treatment,” says Lynn Kettell-Slifer.

Slifer is a family nurse practitioner and the founder of Health Partners LLC in Ponte Vedra Beach.

ORIGINAL STORY: Health care workers in local medical practices are having a hard time getting the vaccine

Earlier this week, Slifer says that wasn’t the case when she and her staff had first showed up for their vaccine appointments at Regency.

“I went in with a staff member, the staff member was turned away at the door because they’re not a licensed medical provider even though they are here on the frontlines with me.”

If you look at the required documents for the state-run vaccine sites, a medical license is not on that list.

Slifer had even written a letter ensuring that her staff members are eligible since they have direct patient contact.

So we set out to get answers and learned in fact a medical license is not necessary.

But the state says instead health care workers should bring a current paycheck or tax form.

Furthermore, the state explains, “Unfortunately anyone can write a letter stating anything. If they are bringing a letter to accompany if they are bringing a letter to accompany documents to show proof of current employment we request the letter be dated.”

So that’s exactly what Slifer’s staff did on Friday.

“They went back and they went up front they had a copy of their paystub they had a copy of the letter with the date thank you for giving me the information that they needed to bring all those things.”

QUICK LINKS: How to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in the Jacksonville area

She says they were let right in and now all her staff has received the first dose.

“I can’t thank you enough for intervening this is the kind of thing we need to keep in front of the public,” says Slifer.

The state says anyone who feels they should have access to the vaccine who is denied is encouraged to ask for an onsite supervisor who will assess the situation

Cox Media Group