Volusia County officials say COVID-19 vaccines to be given by appointment only after seniors camp out overnight for first dose

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County officials said from now on its COVID-19 vaccine distribution will be done by appointment only after seniors waited in line overnight earlier this week outside Daytona Stadium for their chance at the first dose.

“Everybody in the county saw what happened in Daytona Beach,” County Chair Jeff Brower said. “It’s not acceptable.”

READ: ‘Unacceptable’: Volusia County councilwoman pushes for COVID-19 vaccine distribution changes after seniors wait in cars overnight

The department of health said it did not have the software to book appointments and it wanted to get vaccine out to people as quickly as possible

Everything will be by appointments only now going forward.

The update comes the day after Volusia County Council member Heather Post called the way the distribution has been handled in the county “unacceptable” and “appalling.”

Earlier this week seniors camped out overnight at Daytona Stadium to receive the vaccine on a first-come first-served basis.

Shirley Green, 69, said she waited 19 hours in her car to get the shot.

“Because of my financial situation, I didn’t want to go through too much gas. So I got very cold sometimes,” Green said.

READ: Woman waits 19 hours at Daytona Stadium to get vaccine on birthday of brother who died from COVID-19

Post said she sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis, the county health department and the state department of health asking what happened and saying there was no excuse for it.

Click here to download the WFTV mobile app for updates on when more vaccine doses will become available in your community.

READ: Here’s where to find the COVID-19 vaccine in your county