For the second time in as many weeks, spots for the COVID-19 vaccination at University Medical Center (UMC) quickly filled up Saturday afternoon.
Within minutes of the announcement of the allotment of COVID-19 vaccines, registrants took to social media say the available spots quickly filled up; many commented on UMC’s Facebook page about the registration website and process.
Many of the posts complained of the website crashing or freezing, forcing potential registrants to refresh the page.
One user posted that she began trying to set up an appointment at 12:30, when registration was to start, eventually accessing the website at 12:39 only to be greeted by a message that all the spots had been taken.
According to UMC officials last week, registration at that time filled up in just 12 minutes for the 5000 doses that were available.
Hospital officials have yet to comment on this week’s rush, or on any future appointment registrations, other than posting the following graphic on their Facebook page.
***previous story below
Saturday morning, officials with University Medical Center announced that they had received another allotment of vaccine doses and, at 12:30 p.m. today, opens COVID-19 vaccination appointment registrations.
Registration – for Categories 1A and 1B (healthcare workers, first responders, anyone 65 and older or others with certain underlying health conditions) – takes place on UMC’s website at www.UMCelpaso.org, until all open appointments are scheduled. After that point, the site will close access.
“These appointments will take place at the El Paso County Coliseum by appointment only. Your second-dose appointment will be scheduled for you after you receive your first dose,” officials shared via a news release.
“Walk-up vaccinations are not being accepted. You must have an appointment. Again, you can register for the vaccine, until all available appointments are scheduled.”
UMC officials added that they will also announce when the appointment registrations have all been filled for this allotment.
