Here’s how to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida

In the last days of 2020, Florida people age 65 and older began receiving the first shots of the coronavirus vaccine, but where and when these doses will be made available will vary from county to county.

As of Dec. 28, Florida was vaccinating only three priority groups: health care workers, long-term care facility staff, and residents and people 65 and older. The health group includes EMTs and paramedics, as well as Department of Health staff.

Residents who are part of these groups should check local health department websites for information on appointments and where vaccines are being produced.

As the state receives more doses, more people will be ranked among the top priority vaccine groups. Then there will be front-line workers, such as grocery store employees, teachers and police officers, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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Seminole County became the first center in central Florida to begin administering shootings to people over 65, but appointments for the first day quickly filled up.

Patients are asked to be patient as county health departments present vaccination plans for millions of residents who meet age requirements. More than 4 million people aged 65 and over live in the state.

The vaccine is not expected to be available to the general population, including younger residents or non-frontline workers, until late spring.

As of Dec. 28, the following counties in central Florida have shared information to help people sign up for appointments and learn more about vaccine availability. This story will be updated as more counties post details of the vaccination plan.

Brevard County

Brevard County is currently inoculating front-line health workers and residents and staff of long-term care centers. As more doses become available, groups (including those over 65) will be added and information on how to receive them will be provided, according to the county’s vaccine website.

Flagler County

The Florida Department of Health, in Flagler County, received the first COVID-19 vaccine in the first round on December 28 and is working with Flagler County Emergency Management to finalize the distribution.

Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord said the doses from this initial shipment have been specifically targeted at health care providers in our community. Other priority groups, especially those over 65, are expected to start getting vaccinated in the coming weeks, as additional doses are delivered.

Healthcare professionals who do not work directly for a hospital, residence, or long-term care center may receive the vaccination on Saturday, Jan. 2, at a 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. day event at the county fairgrounds. Flagler, and Bunnell.

Flagler County residents 65 and older will be able to make appointments to get vaccinated in early January. Once the county is ready to start making reservations for residents, it will share a phone number. The timing will depend on when the health department receives the next vaccine assignment, but possibly as early as January 4th.

Seminole County

The health department of the county of Seminole began administering shots to people aged 65 and over on December 28 by appointment only at the Oviedo shopping center.

People can make an appointment by going to prepareseminole.org or by calling the direct telephone number of citizens at 407-665-0000. People who meet the vaccine requirements can also go directly to Eventbrite to request an appointment.

Residents can also send a text message to COVID19INFO at 888-777 to receive notifications when the vaccine is available to more groups.

Orange County

The Orange County Department of Health began administering shots to EMTS and paramedics at the Orange County Convention Center on December 26th.

Starting Dec. 29, people 65 and older can start getting vaccinated in Orange County, at the Convention Center, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Appointments will be required.

Residents can register at OCFL.net/vaccines, where they can also sign up to receive email updates for more information on vaccine distribution. Here is the direct link to register.

The county will also provide text updates if people send a text message to OCFLCOVID on 888777.

For those who do not have smartphones or computers, community centers will also offer vaccine registration. East Orange, Taft, Holden Heights and Center Hills community centers will have staff available to help people 65 and older register for vaccine appointments. Within the city of Orlando, the Beardall Center for the Elderly on Delaney Avenue and the L. Claudia Allen Center for the Elderly on Mable Butler Avenue will be available to help residents register.

This link contains step-by-step registration instructions.

Osceola County

The Florida Department of Health, Osceola County, received its first Modern Vaccine Award on December 28th.

People 65 and older and health personnel interested in receiving a vaccine against COVID-19 can call 407-343-2000 to register. Once connected, callers should follow the instructions to receive more information about COVID-19 and stay on the line from the next available agent. People who register will have the option to receive updates on the availability of vaccines by email. Health department staff will call to schedule appointments based on vaccine availability.

Osceola coordinates with Osceola County Emergency Management and community partners to offer mass and community-based vaccination clinics as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more readily available. Residents should continue to check for updates to osceola.floridahealth.gov.

The department’s COVID-19 call center is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-779-6121 or by email at [email protected].

Marion County

The Marion County Department of Health is scheduled to receive the first COVID-19 Modern vaccine shipment for residents 65 and older during the last week of December.

To request a vaccination appointment, go to this link https://tinyurl.com/y98cxp6s and fill out the form. For those who do not have access to a computer or smartphone, call the Marion County COVID-19 hotline at 352-644-2590 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and staff will send you the form. on line.

Once eligible residents submit their information on the DOH-Marion website, they will go online for a staff call to set up an appointment. Staff will call to schedule a vaccination appointment as it becomes available.

The Modern COVID-19 vaccine is a two-shot series, and the second shot is provided 28 days after the first shot.

Lake County

Lake County is expected to receive its initial vaccine shipment the week of Dec. 28. There is currently no registration to register. When vaccines become available, the County Department of Justice will provide more details about the distribution process.

To sign up for the latest emergency notifications regarding COVID-19, send a text message to COVIDUPDATE at 888777 or visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/COVID-19.

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