Jacksonville veteran shares frustration after learning Lane Wiley Senior Center ran out of COVID-19 vaccines

Dozens of cars parked outside the Lane Wiley Senior Center on the Westside.

Some seniors brought chairs and waited in the rain only to find out that the city-run site was out of vaccines.

Homebre El-Amin wanted to get the vaccine since he takes care of his 4-year-old grandson.

“I got a mask and everything but what if everyone is coughing and not doing what they’re supposed to do? He’s at risk. I’ve lived the life, but he’s just getting started,” El-Amin said.

The Vietnam Army veteran told Action News Jax he couldn’t get a vaccine from the Jacksonville’s VA outpatient clinic either since it recently announced it had run out of vaccines too.

Bob Hoffman and his wife said they didn’t get the update and instead drove 50 miles from Amelia Island to get a vaccine.

“It just seems to be the lack of communication but that’s the way life is so we’ll keep trying,” Hoffman said.

And just like these other frustrated seniors outside the senior center, El-Amin said he wanted to stick it out and wait -- hopeful he could somehow still get a shot.

He’s already been impacted by COVID-19.

“My wife lost her aunt, cousin, my son lost his godmother. People take COVID-19 as a joke, a farce or whatever their rationale or reason, but when you look at death it should be a whole different ballpark to you,” he said.

If you did receive the first dose at either city-run sites already, you will return to the same location 21 days later to get the second dose.

Right now Regency Square Mall is the only state-run vaccination site in our area but you have to call and make an appointment, it’s not first come first serve.

You must also be a Florida resident.

Cox Media Group