vaccinated x 2

As a greater part of the older population of Florida gets vaccinated and the supply has increased a lot, it makes sense to increase the populations to be served and make sure the vaccines are used in a timely manner.  A high school friend was the first person I knew that got the vaccine in Florida on January 4, 2021.  Another much older friend living in an independent living facility got his the same week and others I knew got vaccine shots at the VA early in January.

These folks were not part of the 20 million people that were supposed to be vaccinated by the end of December, before the new year and the new administration.  Only about 2 million had received their first shot.  By January 10, 2021 the race to get vaccinated in Florida moved into a higher gear but computerized systems for appointments couldn't keep up with pent up demand, limited supplies of vaccine and multiple providers that were spread out and still dealing with a lot of bureaucratic supply and logistic issues.

But I digress.

And meanwhile the lamest of duck administrations in history was still fighting about the results of the election that they lost and getting impeached x2 for fomenting a riot/insurrection/failed coup that shocked the country, derailed Congress and slowed the peaceful transition of power after the election.

And back to the rest of the rest of the story.

Frustrated folks were driving hundreds of miles if they were lucky enough to score an appointment, others felt forced to sit over night in lines hoping to get a shot that give protection from a invisible disease that was still raging and killing folks in mind numbing numbers.  I could have been more patient but my mindset sort of flipped.  Maybe every man for himself was a better strategy.

I starting following websites periodically that like Jackson Health Service, Miami Dade County, Baptist Hospital, talked to the drug store guy.  For the first couple of weeks the JMH website was filled almost immediately.  Through a post at my church I found that the newly elected mayor and a reporter that covered part of the COVID 19 beat and would give a little bit of a heads up on Twitter about Jackson Health Service taking appointments. 

On February 6th, I almost completed the application but picked the wrong site for the shot.  Jackson South seemed closer and I wasn't sure where the other sites were in the county but was full.  Same thing on February 7th.  I did some research and realized the rehab site was in the Civic Center and really convenient.  On February 8th at about 7:45AM I got and appointment for later that afternoon.

It was super easy in and out even before the scheduled time of my appointment: 2:00PM.  The 2nd appointment was set for 3/1/2021.

On February 12th the County Website, another website I had joined for an appointment sent an e-mail and a link for an appointment.  Not needed.

 As of March 5th the CDC reported 85 million doses of vaccine have been administered in the U.S.A.

I am one of the almost 29 million people that have received two shots and am done with this process.