St. Michael’s group helping to schedule vaccine appointments
As of March 16, 130 people were scheduled to receive the COVID-19 vaccine thanks to a team of Vaccine Angels from the St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, according to officials.
Under the direction of Parish Nurse Wendy Warner, a group of volunteers go to work on their computers every night and morning to secure appointments for those who have been struggling to book an appointment online. An information form is filled out by each person and passed along to the team, which communicates among itself as it searches pharmacies and locations to find appointments.
Confirmations are then texted, emailed or printed out for the appointment recipients. Thank you notes and calls have been received by those who able to secure an appointment with Vaccine Angels’ help.
Officials reported that the team started by helping older parishioners get their appointments, but have expanded to include local friends, neighbors and anyone else who is struggling with the technology.
Those who are eligible to receive the vaccine and would like help scheduling an appointment can download the form at www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/covid19responseresources; email the completed form to parishsecretary@saintmichaels-sanibel.org or drop it off Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the church office, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
For questions, contact the office at 239-472-2173.
Officials added that the team does not guarantee it can secure appointments, but it has been very successful so far. The volunteers are happy to help those who struggle with technology, but are unable to book appointments for those capable of using the Internet themselves to secure an appointment.