DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – After several busy days of vaccine distribution in Volusia County, county leaders are changing the way they will manage vaccinations in the future.
This includes a new location and a new online system.
What you need to know
- The vaccination site reached capacity around 6 am for the second day in a row
- Seniors said they just want to be able to hug their grandchildren again
- Volusia has moved the distribution of the vaccine to Deltona since Thursday
- The county has also started taking online meetings, which are booked
- RELATED: Getting a Vaccine in Central Florida: What You Need to Know
On Thursday and Friday, 1,000 seniors each day will receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by appointment only. Appointments went live on Tuesday afternoon at 3pm and were claimed until 3:11 p.m.
This change is a welcome one for seniors who failed to get vaccinated at Daytona Stadium on Monday and Tuesday.
On Tuesday, at 6 in the morning, the vaccination site at Daytona Stadium – which took 1,000 people a day, on a first-come, first-served basis – closed its line. Some drivers had been camping in their cars since Monday at 7 p.m.
Vaccinations were not scheduled to begin until 9 p.m.
The seniors I spoke to have been in line since 2:30 p.m. Monday to be vaccinated this morning at Daytona Stadium. They slept in their cars overnight with plenty of food / water and say it was worth it!
“I hope I can get the next shot soon so I can see the rest of my family.”@ MyNews13 https://t.co/Nb4y1iaLFO pic.twitter.com/DHLhxZjjdU
– JSotoNews13 (@ JSotoNews13) January 5, 2021
On Monday, hundreds of people were rejected after dozens of cars lined up on LPGA Boulevard. The city has decided to open its gates earlier on Tuesday, citing safety.
According to Daytona Beach police, officials were initially not allowed to let anyone park overnight, but were quickly overwhelmed by the number of people who showed up.
Baileys queued up at 2:30 p.m., bringing food and water so they could sleep overnight in their car. But when the site reached capacity and the line closed, they were still queuing 6 miles away.
“I’d love to see my grandchildren, spend time with them. I hope I can get the next shot soon so I can see the rest of my family,” Edward Bailey said.
Haldermans are snowmen from Missouri who also slept in the car.
“It was really nice, because Missouri is a little behind. I’m still doing old people’s homes and that kind of thing,” Kathy Halderman said.
On Monday, Roger Phillips said he was rejected after being told he could not camp on Sunday night. He then faced a decision after the line for Tuesday’s vaccinations began to form at noon.
Phillips tried again on Tuesday morning.
“I will not move. … If he threatens me with a ticket, give me the ticket, I’ll pay the ticket. But I think it’s worth more for me and my wife to be able to see our grandchildren and love each other than to be back the way we were this morning, “he told Spectrum News at the time.
After trying to get vaccinated at Daytona Stadium, Roger Phillips is happy that he now has an appointment to be vaccinated in Deltona! Volusia makes the transition from first come, first served to meetings. 2,000 appointments booked today for the weekend @ MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/vvkimF8pa5
– Nicole Griffin (@ NicoleNews13) January 5, 2021
Phillips managed to arrange meetings for him and his wife on Tuesday afternoon. He said it was difficult for him to make reservations online, but managed to make an appointment over the phone.
“I just think they need a better program, they need a better plan, a more effective plan to get this vaccine out,” Phillips said.
For those who failed to be vaccinated, more vaccines will come to Volusia County.
According to DeLand leaders, they have approved several locations to be used as vaccine distribution points. They said they could have a vaccination event as soon as possible next week.