F.I.S.H. secures pop-up vaccination site for islands
Following a letter addressed to Gov. Ron DeSantis and local elected officials outlining the need for COVID-19 vaccines, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva secured a “pop-up” vaccination site, which took place on March 23 at The Community House. The letter stressed the complications that seniors on Sanibel and Captiva were facing, not only with technological capability scheduling vaccinations, but also the logistical hurdles of living on barrier islands with vaccination sites throughout Lee County.
Signed by F.I.S.H. President Maggi Feiner and board Chair Sheridan Snell, the letter asserted that seniors on the islands are faced with many of the same challenges as those in rural and other parts of the state situated far from a vaccination site. It also addressed a significant number of seniors who F.I.S.H. had already identified as being a high priority for a local vaccination option due to their age, medical conditions or transportation limitations.
The Department of Health responded by bringing 250 doses to Sanibel, where islanders — scheduled by F.I.S.H. — were able to come by appointment only to receive their one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccinations. F.I.S.H. was assisted by other partners, such as The Community House, Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, Sanibel Police Department, Sanibel Fire and Rescue District, parish nurses, medical offices, pharmacies, City of Sanibel officials and F.I.S.H. volunteers.
“Maria Espinoza, our assistant executive director, worked around the clock to make this happen,” Feiner said. “From accepting resident calls to coordinating volunteer efforts and facilitating the program onsite at The Community House, she took the lead on behalf of islanders in need. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank everyone who made this a smooth process and huge success.”
F.I.S.H. will continue to work with islanders who have limited access or ability using technology to schedule appointments elsewhere in the county. In addition, it plans to continue advocating for vaccination opportunities on the islands.
“Two hundred and fifty vaccinations is an incredible step and allowed us to assist our most vulnerable residents, in addition to others who qualified under the governor’s executive order,” Espinoza said. “However, we know that there are many more on the island that still need the vaccination and as the eligibility requirements broaden that number will grow.”
For nearly 40 years, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captive has been a “neighbors helping neighbors” organization as the islands only wrap-around service provider offering a range of human services. For more information about F.I.S.H., call Espinoza at 239-472-4775 or visit www.fishofsancap.org.