Jacksonville, FL. — The Panama Pharmacy in Panama Park is a lifeline for people in the underserved neighborhoods surrounding it.
The Pharmacy received 200 doses of the vaccine from the Health Department, and owner Kevin Duane said the phone calls poured in, 200 appointments were spoken for in less than two hours.
Panama Park Pharmacy appointments for vaccine filled in less than 2 hours.
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) February 2, 2021
They administered 200 doses and now have a waiting list of about 1,000.
The Pharmacist is hopeful for additional doses in the near future. @ActionNewsJax at 5:00
“Huge interest and it’s hard because I don’t have a great answer, everyone wants to know when are you going to get more?” Duane said.
According to the National Association of County and City Health Officials, more than 90% of the U.S. population live within five miles of a pharmacy.
“Our area is very underserved, and I think that is sometimes overlooked especially by the larger chain pharmacies.” Duane said, adding that some people in the area have a hard time getting to the state-run site in Regency.
Chain partners like Winn Dixie, Publix, Costco and Walmart have signed up to administer vaccines, but Duane believes pharmacies like his will be key to getting to underserved people.
The pharmacy has a wait list of more than 1,000 people, but additional vaccines have not been promised as of yet.
Cox Media Group
