PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — Getting a vaccine at one of the vaccination sites isn’t such an easy task.
Especially if you’re like John DeNardis.
“I have to carry this heavy oxygen machine even though they say, ‘Well, it’s only 10 pounds,’ it feels like a ton,” he said.
Thankfully he was able to get his first vaccine shot at Regency because he had someone who gave him a ride and helped him with his wheelchair.
But that’s not the case for many seniors like Patricia of Putnam County whose daughter Action News Jax interviewed Thursday.
“The medication that she takes has actually brought her immune system down to absolutely nothing, so she can’t go out, be anywhere,” said Amy Champagne.
State Rep. Bobby Payne saw the interview and made some calls.
“I spoke to the fire chief there, and he said, ‘Bobby, we can, perhaps, set aside an ambulance with some paramedics that can give the shots to the shut-ins, to the in-home folks,’” said Payne.
Payne is in a unique position to help because he’s also the vice-chair of the state’s pandemic and public emergencies committee.
He also spoke with the state’s director of emergency management and the medical directors for area hospices.
“And told them that our plan was to set aside a certain number of shots for those patients that they feel like were capable of receiving the shot and that would get permission to get the shot. They’ll create a list send it back to the contact in Putnam County and Putnam County will schedule them for a shot,” he said.
Payne said it’s still in the early stages but at least there’s a plan of action. He said he’s optimistic.
“I think each county will kind of establish their protocols. We hope to maybe be a model for other communities to use,” said Payne.
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