Volunteer ‘vaccine hunters’ help Brevard County residents preregister for COVID-19 vaccination appointments

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The city of Cocoa is trying to make it easier for seniors to preregister for COVID-19 vaccines by partnering them with volunteers to get them online and signed up on the state’s website.

Some seniors have difficulty using the internet or don’t have online access, and others need a little reassurance that they’ve made it in line for an appointment, whether they registered online or by phone.

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On Friday, volunteers like Jennifer Riggs showed up to Cocoa City Hall and the Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Center to help seniors preregister for COVID-19 vaccine appointments through the state of Florida’s website.

“It’s a great backstop option. If they’re not able to get a vaccine, they know as soon as they are available from the state they will be on the list,” Riggs said.

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Riggs said she and a small group of “vaccine hunters” haven’t stopped here. They’re also helping seniors find appointment at area Publix pharmacies.

“We’ve reached out to people in the church and people in the Cocoa community through different organizations,” Riggs said. “We’ve heard from so many (that) this has been a huge relief for them.”

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Linda Copeland, of Brevard County, said these volunteers, along with the support of her daughter, have helped her get through the process.

“It’s good someone is watching out for us, helping us know when it’s available,” she said.