Golden Gate gets pop-up J&J vaccine site

Avoiding the frustration of trying to get a COVID vaccine appointment.

People are lining up for the shots at a pop-up clinic in Collier County.

Anita Holmgren, of the Naples Woman’s Club, helped to get the clinic started and she said she hopes it is busy.

On Thursday, the line stretched through the parking lot at 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy all day. The clinic planned to vaccinate 400 people on Thursday and another 400 on Friday. It runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Naples Woman’s Club is hoping to get more pop-up clinics in low-income communities in the area.

“Even with all my incredible computer background with my desktop and phone and getting up early over and over again, it was very hard to get a vaccination,” she said.

She finally found an appointment in Palm Beach for a first dose and was able to drive to it.

“I had the resources,” Holmgren said.

After receiving it, she felt something tugging on her heartstrings.

“Other people don’t have that privilege, so of course, we wanted to help,” Holmgren said.

Holmgren teamed up with other members of the Naples Woman’s Club and reached out to several organizations trying to get a pop-up clinic in Golden Gate.

“I thought a J&J mobile would be perfect for that community,” Holmgren said.

After weeks and months of trying, the Florida Department of Health agreed.

“We feel very good about this,” Holmgren said. “We worked hard for a long time, so at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel.”

And people in the community are thankful.

“This is a very populated area, and we have all different age groups, so we all need the help,” said Julie Zalimov, of Golden Gate. “Thank you very much.”