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'That can't be us' | Jefferson County cancels 1,900 vaccine appointments after links shared on social media

Clinic organizers say they expect many people signed up with a shared link, thinking it was a "legitimate process"

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — Mandy Lehmann said her mom was one of the 1,900 people who had a Jefferson County coronavirus vaccination appointment canceled because the link they used to book her shot had been widely shared on social media.

"When you first see that link you're excited, you feel happy, and feel relieved in a sense," Lehmann said, adding the appointment — as brief as it was — made her feel like "there's a light at the end of the tunnel."

Lehmann's mother is eligible for a vaccine under state guidelines, and she said they were just trying to keep her healthy and safe, especially because they lost their stepfather to coronavirus just a few months ago.

"You hear the stories of people not being eligible, and you almost think like, 'That can't be me. That can't be us that got this fake link.' And then you are just disappointed when you hear it's not your turn," she explained.

Lehmann said her sister — and thousands of others — turned to social media groups to find information about all the registries and events across the state. Overall, she called the vaccination system "confusing."

RELATED: 'You kind of get sucked in' | St. Louis Facebook group helps others find, book COVID-19 vaccine appointments

Of the 2,400 appointments filled for the two-day clinic in Arnold, 1,900 were people who weren't on the Jefferson County registry, and organizers worried about the integrity of the process.

"I feel really bad because I know a lot of them thought they were going through the legitimate process," county health director Kelley Vollmar told 5 On Your Side.

RELATED: Jefferson County cancels 2,000 vaccine appointments after registration link shared online

Vollmar said they ran appointment emails against the registry and sent second messages canceling the slots for people who weren't in their system. 

Now, Lehmann's family is waiting for another shot at the vaccine.

"You just gotta be patient, and that's what we're trying to do," Lehmann said. 

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