Nearly 9.5 million seniors, or 16.5% of U.S. adults 65 and older, lack internet access, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
One of her patients, whoโs 83, called her in tears, unable to navigate the online appointment system at Rite Aid.
But even a Colorado health provider setting up vaccine clinics for underserved communities, Salud Family Health Centers, said their phone lines canโt handle the volume of calls theyโre receiving and encouraged people to go online.
"And if you donโt have access to a computer, youโre at a disadvantage.โEven Cortez had trouble as she tried to help Jones.
She called numbers listed on the Colorado health department website and several Safeway stores after Jones heard friends were vaccinated there.