More SWFL Publix vaccine appointments booked in just over an hour Friday morning

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
Outside of a Publix store. Photo via CBS News.
Outside of a Publix store. Photo via CBS News.

Publix vaccine slots for Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties become available at 7 a.m. Friday and were booked by 8:03 a.m. Due to some manner of website glitch, the numbers of slots on the vaccine page did not lower until 7:34 a.m.

The process has been adjusted, and the Publix website now comes with instructions: The sign-up page displays a counter ticking down until the next time the page refreshes. A list of Florida counties shows how many appointment slots still remain in each one. Many people will always be trying to sign up at once, so things may proceed slowly, but nothing needs to be clicked at first; the website brings you to a scheduling page automatically upon refreshing once room becomes available.

Publix appointments are for Florida residents 65 and older. You should be able to book multiple people. If you were unable to book an appointment Friday, Wednesday will be your next opportunity.

During the Publix Pharmacy booking process, you may be asked for Medicare information if you are on Medicare. The shot is still given at no cost to you whether or not you choose to provide that information.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: 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.

PDF: Residency requirement checklist

Click here to see the full list of Florida locations.

Vaccine sign-up instructions. Credit: Publix.com

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