DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — After a busy few days of vaccine distribution in Volusia County, county leaders are switching up how they’ll handle vaccinations going forward. 

That includes a new location, and a new online system.


What You Need To Know

  • Vaccine site reached capacity around 6 a.m. for 2nd day in a row

  • Seniors said they just want to be able to hug their grandkids again

  • Volusia moved vaccine distribution to Deltona starting Thursday

  • County also began taking online appointments, which are all booked

  • RELATED: Getting a Vaccine in Central Florida: What You Need to Know

On Thursday and Friday, 1,000 seniors each day will receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by appointment only. The appointments went live at 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, and were all claimed by 3:11 p.m.

This change is a welcome one for seniors who missed out on getting vaccinated at the Daytona Stadium on Monday and Tuesday. 

At 6 a.m. Tuesday, the vaccine site at Daytona Stadium — which was taking 1,000 people a day on a first-come, first-serve basis — had closed its line. Some motorists had been camping out in their cars since 7 p.m. Monday.

The vaccinations weren't scheduled to begin until 9 a.m.

On Monday, hundreds of people were turned away after dozens of cars lined up on LPGA Boulevard. The city decided to open up the gates earlier for Tuesday, citing safety.

According to Daytona Beach Police, officials were originally not going to let anyone park overnight but were quickly overwhelmed with the amount of people who showed up. 

The Baileys got in line starting at 2:30 p.m. Monday and brought food and water so they could sleep overnight in their car. But when the site hit capacity and the line closed, they were still in line 6 miles away.

"I'd like to see my grandkids, spend time with them. I hope I can get the next shot soon so I can see the rest of my family," Edward Bailey said.

The Haldermans are snowbirds from Missouri who also slept in their car.

"It was really nice, because Missouri is a little bit behind. They're still doing nursing homes and that type of thing," Kathy Halderman said.

On Monday, Roger Phillips said he was turned away after being told he could not camp out Sunday night. Then he was faced with a decision after the line for Tuesday’s vaccinations started forming at noon.

Phillips tried again Tuesday morning.

“I am not going to move. ... If they threaten me with a ticket, give me the ticket, I’ll pay the ticket. But I think it is worth more for me and my wife to be able to see our grandchildren and love on them than to be turned away just as we were this morning,” he told Spectrum News then.

Phillips was able to secure appointments for himself and his wife on Tuesday afternoon. He said he had a hard time booking online, but was able to get an appointment over the phone.

“I just think they need a better program, they need a better plan, a more effective plan to get this vaccine out,” said Phillips.

For those that missed out on being vaccinated, more vaccines are set to arrive in Volusia County.

According to DeLand city Leaders, they have approved several locations to be used as vaccine distribution points. They claimed they could have a vaccination event as soon as next week.