FDOH-Collier vaccine appointments fill up within minutes

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

The next round of appointments opened Sunday for the COVID-19 vaccine administered by FDOH-Collier, and once again, every appointment was booked within a half hour.

The three dates for appointments are:

  • Monday, Jan. 25
  • Tuesday, Jan. 26
  • Wednesday, Jan. 27

Appointments are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at North Collier Regional Park Soccer Fields: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, 34109.

Anyone who walks up without an appointment will be turned away.

The county will announce more appointments once they receive more vaccines.

There is a waitlist available for each of the above-listed dates. Scroll down for instructions on joining a list.

FDOH-Collier is distributing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to health care personnel with direct patient contact and people 65 and older.

No referral needed and there is no cost. Clients will be asked to complete a registration form prior to receiving the vaccine.

The DOH-Collier call center will remain open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center can be reached at (239) 252-6220.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN SCHEDULING: All you have to provide on the Eventbrite website is your name and email address. It will not ask for your Social Security number, bank details or credit card.

DOH-Collier will allow people eligible for the vaccine to join a waitlist. You can find the waitlist button by visiting the Eventbrite registration page. When you click register, you will see a list of sold-out dates in addition to a red button that says Join Waitlist.

To get on Collier County’s waitlist, go to this link, click the date you want to join the waitlist for, click “Register” and then click “Join Waitlist” at the bottom. The FDOH told us the waitlist is only for the date and time you sign up for, not for any future openings. You’ll receive an email if there’s a cancellation and it’s your turn to secure an appointment, but keep in mind you’ll only have 12 hours to see that email and respond.

GETTING YOUR SHOT:

This is a drive-thru service and they ask you to arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment time.

If you are unable to make an appointment, you can join a waitlist. (Instructions below.)

Health care personnel with direct patient contact will be asked to provide ID indicating they are health care staff.

Face masks must be worn while waiting in vehicles.

As for the second dose of the vaccine, Collier County says to expect an email 21 days after your first dose to make an appointment for your second.

Q & A for Department of Health – Collier County ONLY: 

Events are “Sold Out”. Can I get on a waitlist?
You can sign up for the waitlist on Eventbrite. Note: Waitlists are only valid for the specific day of that clinic.

What is the website I should monitor? CollierCountyCOVIDVaccines.Eventbrite.com and collier.floridahealth.gov.

Events say “Sold Out”. Are you charging for the vaccine? There is no charge for the vaccine. The current appointment system is an event ticketing system and therefore, when all appointments are booked, it says sold out.

How will I be notified if it is my turn on the waitlist? When someone cancels their appointment, you will receive an email if it is your turn to schedule an appointment. Follow the instructions in the email. You will have 12 hours to secure your appointment.

Do waitlists carry over to other days/times? No. A waitlist is only for a specific day/time. There is not a universal waitlist.

How do I make an appt. for the vaccine? Appts. are made via Eventbrite.

Can I show up without an appointment? No. Do not show up to a vaccine clinic without an appointment. You will not receive the vaccine.

If I am on a waitlist, should I come to the vaccine clinic? No. Do not show up without an appointment. You will not receive a vaccine.

VACCINE INFORMATION (DOH -COLLIER)

I don’t live in Collier County, can I still receive a vaccine? Why are non-Collier residents allowed to receive a vaccine? Effective immediately, Florida is requiring proof of residency in order to receive a vaccine in any county. Check the Residency requirement checklist for more information.

If you got your first shot before the residency requirement change, you can still get your second dose without proving residency. Health care providers are exempt from the requirement. The requirement only applies to your first dose.

When will the next vaccine clinics be available? As soon as new dates are available, they are sent to local media and posted at collier.floridahealth.gov. We do not have a timeline.

What vaccine are you providing? The Moderna vaccine.

SECOND DOSE QUESTIONS (DOH-COLLIER)

I received a Moderna vaccine. Can I receive a Pfizer vaccine for my second dose (or vice versa)? No. You cannot mix pharmaceuticals.

I received my 1st dose. How will I get my second dose? If you received your first dose through DOH-Collier, you will receive an email approximately one week prior to the 28-day mark to schedule your appointment. Note: You MUST wait at least 28 days to receive your second dose.

How will schedule my appointment for the second dose? Instructions will be in the reminder email.

Will you guarantee that I receive my second dose? We will have designated days/times for those who need their second dose. You must make your own
appointment.

OTHER INFORMATION (DOH -COLLIER)

Why is DOH scaling back on testing? We have limited staff and must continue to provide COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 testing, and daily services at the health department.

What do I bring to an appointment? You MUST bring your ticket (print out!) and you MUST bring your ID. Please bring a blue or black pen to complete the registration form. If you are health care personnel with direct patient contact, you must bring ID indicating so.

Why aren’t you prioritizing by age group/disability/etc.? Per the Governor’s Executive Order, DOH is to vaccinate those who are 65+ and healthcare personnel who have direct patient contact. We cannot prioritize different groups.

I have 2 tickets, one for me and one for my spouse. Both tickets say my name. What should I do? Write the other person’s name on a ticket and bring both IDs with you at the time of your appointment.

I have an appointment and I don’t need/want it. What do I do? Log in to Eventbrite and cancel your ticket.

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