COVID-19 The Vaccine: Baptist Health out of first-dose appointments; refers people to Regency

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Because of a shortage of the coronavirus vaccine, Baptist Health announced that they cannot schedule patients seeking their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The delay will not affect patients who already received their first shot from Baptist Health. The second doses are in reserve for them.

The hospital is referring people to Regency Square Mall and other public vaccination sites to receive their first vaccine.

Amy Kesby is excited that her husband finally got his first vaccine Saturday.

“My husband is an ultrasound tech,” she said. “He sees about 50-plus patients per day, and they’re usually elderly.”

Kesby says the registration process took some time.

”Oh my goodness, hours on the phone,” she said.

For Brenda Wikastrom, who said she is immune-suppressed, waiting for the vaccine has felt like life or death.

“I was really excited to come down here. I called and left a message and then three days later, they called me back for an appointment,” Wikastrom explained.

She tells Action News Jax she drove to Regency from Nassau County after struggling to get an appointment there.

The state launched a system for patients to get “in line” virtually by making appointments online. State officials said locals will be notified when appointments are available in their area. The state said doses are coming in slowly, and supply is extremely limited.

This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida will receive 307,000 doses next week.

Health care workers and people 65 and older are urged to register right away.

For Kesby and Wikastrom, it is hope that has been a long time coming.

”This is great that we have some place to get vaccinated, and I’m next hopefully,” Kesby said.

Baptist Health said patients needing the second dose of the vaccine should come at the same time and location where they received their first dose.

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