Action News Jax gets answers about confusion of second dose appointment at Regency

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than 19,000 people have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at the Regency Square Mall site in Arlington.

But when it comes to getting the second dose — dozens have called and emailed into Action News Jax newsroom concerned about when to come back and get it.

Action News Jax went to the Florida Department of Emergency Management to get the answers.

“I am a 9/11 survivor, so I don’t know if I’ll be here for my next birthday — but I’ll be damned if I’m going out because of COVID — and it was a vaccine,” Francesca Romero said enthusiastically.

Romero just turned 70 years old on Monday.

MAP: COVID-19 vaccine locations in the Jacksonville area

She’s one of the thousands of people who have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at Regency Square Mall.

As of Sunday, Feb. 7, a total of 19,180 people received their first dose at the site, according to the data shared in a tweet from the Florida Department of Emergency Management.

“These people were the consummate professionals. The process is seamless. It was a piece of cake!” said Romero.

Lenore Cunningham told Action News Jax’s Courtney Cole as a retired registered nurse — she was really impressed with the process.

“I walked in. They fix all my paperwork, and I’m out in less than an hour!” Cunningham told Cole.

At Action News Jax, the team has heard from a lot of seniors who said they have not received a call about scheduling their second dose.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management stated no one is due back at Regency at exactly 21 days. In fact, they say you have up to six weeks to get your second dose.

QUICK LINKS: How to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in the Jacksonville area

The agency assured Action News Jax the state is going to call everyone to schedule an appointment for their second dose.

And when they do, Romero encourages everyone to follow through and get the vaccine.

“To all my black brothers and sisters and all my Latino brothers and sisters in Jacksonville, pick up the phone and call! When it’s time for you, get your vaccine!”

Cox Media Group