APPLETON (NBC 26) -- As vaccinations slowly become more and more available to the public, a group on Facebook is starting to make the process of signing up for an appointment or even finding available vaccines easier.
For many people, navigating the web and trying to find out if they're qualified for a vaccination, or if any appointments are available, is a daunting but important task.
"Which phone number do you call, which institution do you call, do you call your own doctor, should you call the hospital?" said Erik Conradson of Appleton.
Conradson recently qualified for a vaccination, but even being admittedly semi-technologically savvy, he struggled with the process - that is until he heard about The Milwaukee and Wisconsin Area Vaccine Hunters and Angels Facebook group.
"The whole premise of the group is if you have information, please share it. Or take the information available in the group and use it to help people you know or others in your community," adds Conradson.
The Facebook group has a team of 5,000 strong, who either have questions about the vaccination process or insight as to what worked for them to tackle the task of getting vaccinated.
"If you're eligible we will help," says Bob Orech, founder of the Facebook group.,
It's a network of folks from across the state who collectively guide qualified people to resources to find vaccines and available appointments quickly.
"I'm a firm believer that the early bird does get the worm in this case. And those that are very diligent, and patient, will get it as well," says Orech.
Orech started the group just over a month ago and says first you'll want to set up profiles, so you can sign up for an appointment, at any of the available vaccination clinics that you can. He says taking care of this before everyone in your designated group does, could help people quickly make an appointment when it becomes an option for a particular demographic.
"You take away those steps that might be precious in selecting a vaccine time that's available. There's thousands of people chasing that one vaccine schedule."
Getting on waiting lists isn't a bad idea either, according to Orech. He says smaller pharmacies often have leftover doses in the evenings that will be wasted if not utilized. Some pharmacies like Walgreens even take calls after 5 p.m. to let the public know if they have any extra doses.
"It is an option, and it is happening every day. If you search on our page, you will see many success stories."
Essentially, the Facebook page gives you a team of five thousand strong, people willing to share their stories and up-to-the-minute insight, that could help just about anyone who's qualified find and schedule their vaccination.
"This retailer, or this clinic, has vaccination appointments available. Here's the number to call. I mean it's pointing people directly to the source," says Conradson, who is now vaccinated, in part, thanks to his involvement in the Facebook group.
