12:30 p.m. Tuesday update: Pinellas County officials say registration for COVID vaccinations are closed for now.

On Twitter, the health department said, "At this time we are not accepting new appointments, as we have scheduled for our existing stocks of vaccine."

"Once additional doses of vaccine are received, we will open the reservation system to the public again."

10:05 a.m. Tuesday update: Spectrum Bay News 9 has received several calls from viewers who are having trouble getting through. We reached out to the Health Department and received this response:

"Yes, we are aware that the phone lines have heavy traffic. Please understand that we have nearly 250,000 residents over 65 looking for a vaccination appointment. We are working diligently through the process, asking callers to be patient. Once we fill our reservations, we will make an announcement regarding the system. Thank you."

8 a.m. Tuesday update: The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County said Tuesday it has created a temporary registration method while it deals with problems that happened Monday.

In a thread on Twitter, the health department said: "People aged 65 years or older can call (727) 824-6900 and select Option 4 or call (727) 824-6931. From there, an operator will ask for specific information including name, phone number and date of birth.

"The operator will then work with callers to get them scheduled for a date, time and location for their first dose of vaccine. Please note that due to high call volume, wait times may be longer than expected."

The vaccine reservation system had to be suspended Monday because of call volume.

Reservations made Monday will be honored, county leaders said.

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PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Tuesday will mark the first day people 65 and older in Pinellas County can receive a COVID-19 vaccination, but registration for future appointments was halted by late Monday afternoon, the Florida Department of Health in the county announced.

On its Twitter account, the Pinellas health department indicated it would provide updates.

The Pinellas reservation system launched Monday but was so jammed that officials shut it down.

What You Need To Know

  • Health department offivials in Pinellas county have paused registrations for COVID vaccinations

  • The registration system launched Monday and did sign up some people

  • Residents complained they could not access the website or get through on the phone

  • Officials said they are working to resolve the issues and would provide updates

Some residents said they had multiple phones and computers operating and still could not connect.

Many of them are frustrated and scared.

“I'm just worried that it's getting close to home, and I work at a restaurant so I just don't want to have contact with people that have it or I want to give it," Debra Difrabritis said.

The county indicated it’s still in the early phases of the vaccination program ad expected an enthusiastic response.

It is aware of issues with the website and working to resolve them, county health officials said.

They also advised that it is not using an Event Brite site, indicating on its Twitter account that someone had created a fake account.

You should not be charged to register.