/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VY2P2WOKLFA5PK43DWRWQA56ME.JPG "Jillian LoDico, the incoming director of nursing, receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Gulf Shore Care Center. \"Amazing,\" she said of being vaccinated. On Monday, local health departments began offering registration for coronavirus vaccines to people 65 and older.")
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County suspended registration for coronavirus vaccine appointments at the end of its first day, according to a tweet.
The health department said registration for appointments by phone and online were suspended as of 6:49 p.m. Monday and that more details would come soon.
Seniors across Tampa Bay scrambled Monday to get an appointment, and were instead faced with crashed websites and busy phone lines.
Pinellas health officials said “we understood that there would be an enthusiastic response, and we are working to promptly resolve the issues,” in a news release Monday afternoon.
The Hillsborough County health department expanded its hours for its call center. On Tuesday it will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and appointments are still available, according to a news release. Online registration has been temporarily suspended.
• • •
Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage
HOW CORONAVIRUS IS SPREADING IN FLORIDA: Find the latest numbers for your county, city or zip code.
VACCINES Q & A: Have coronavirus vaccine questions? We have answers, Florida.
FACE MASKS: Read the latest on guidelines, tips for comfort and long-term wear
GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information.
THE CORONAVIRUS SCRAPBOOK: We collected your stories, pictures, songs, recipes, journals and more to show what life has been like during the pandemic.
A TRIBUTE TO THE FLORIDIANS TAKEN BY THE CORONAVIRUS: They were parents and retirees, police officer and doctors, imperfect but loved deeply.
HAVE A TIP?: Send us confidential news tips
We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/2636a2be-bdb1-4fd6-8af2-1678e1b54fd1.png "Romy Ellenbogen - Tallahassee Correspondent")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/RoPSCzSmlpXVr0VwuQuaN8eI9rM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JYN2HB5N7FBHBCVT3ZVMDONBZU.JPG "DeSantis’ office pledged to investigate bid-rigging case. It didn’t get far.")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/s_1zzJfjsNbu5Y5IRmYG3ehNgkk=/1200x675/filters:focal(965x625:975x615)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QNGW2GRGMG5LBK4RCDLGRNT5M4.jpg "Why ‘Tiger King’ Joe Exotic is mad at Florida State star Jordan Travis")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MSJACJIF45GJNGPAK4S642TWKQ.jpg "BayCare to build new St. Joseph’s Children’s hospital by 2030")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GQ7ZQTLZAZBMXCZS2WTKRF2C2A.jpg "Florida wants to more than double size of Mosaic’s ‘radioactive roads’ plan")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5AT2KUOZVBFKHFIBIVV7IB5WMU.jpg "Toni Says: Medicare Plan F rates are exploding. Help!")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JI544UZ27HAAUEALDJL27G5LI4.jpg "Half of 500,000 removed from Medicaid are children, Florida Dems warn")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DSPRAUQ5XVH3VEQRGA7GQIXW7Q.jpg "As COVID infections rise, nursing homes are still waiting for vaccines")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/NY4BGAC5QGYXS3OXJD32JUUJYE.jpg "Toni Says: What changes can I make during Medicare’s annual enrollment period?")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/R5NHKAXFCJBGRD3XPVS53Z2AHU.jpeg "6 people died by suicide in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Experts fear more.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XYQ4CUY5RFEQDKCXXHFMIJEUVA.jpg "Feds: Florida’s poor oversight of psychotropic meds puts foster kids at risk")