New Coronavirus Vaccine System Launches In Manatee County: Report

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A new coronavirus vaccine lottery system has been adopted by Manatee County, the Bradenton Herald reported. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved the new system Wednesday afternoon.

The decision to adopt a new way of registering individuals 65 and older for their COVID-19 vaccine comes after more than a week of frustration as time slots filled up quickly. On Monday, the Department of Health in Manatee County’s Eventbrite registration page crashed as people clamored to register for 1,200 available appointments.

In the new system, residents interested in receiving the vaccine can register their name, so they’re added to a “vaccine standby pool,” Public Safety Director Jacob Saur said.

Whenever more doses are available, names from this pool will be randomly selected to receive the vaccine, reports said. These individuals will receive a call to set up an appointment time.

The idea is to give those who are less tech-savvy a greater chance of registering for the vaccine, reports said.

“We didn’t want them pushed out because they can’t get to a 311 operator or a computer quick enough,” Saur said. “We didn’t want another mad rush to the site, because we know that brings it to its knees when folks rush to be first on the waiting list.”

The new registration website is expected to go live at 10 p.m. Thursday. Those who want to add their name to the pool can register online or call the county’s 311 hotline, reports said.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Bradenton newsletters and real-time email alerts.

Learn more about the county's vaccination plan at www.mymanatee.org/vaccine.

Florida's COVID-19 Vaccine Report will also be updated daily at www.FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov. This report includes a breakdown of who has received the vaccine by age, race, gender and county. According to the report, 7,237 people in Manatee County have receive at least their first dose of the vaccine.