Vaccination site of the COVID-19 convention center open to residents outside Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – On the first day that COVID-19 vaccines for seniors living at the Orange County Convention Center began, officials made a big change that will open the site to more people.

The director of the Florida Department of Health, Orange County, Dr. Raul Pino, was blunt on Monday afternoon when plans were unveiled for the site where only Orange County residents 65 and older could receive gunfire there.

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“Now, all these services are intended only for Orange residents and we will validate your residence with a suitable identifier. So as you enter the information (online), make sure they match the identification you provide, ”Pino said Monday.

The site opened for vaccination for the first time at 9 a.m. Tuesday and around 1 p.m., the county announced it will no longer be limited to only Orange County residents.

No reason was given for the change, but Pino mentioned Monday that there could be some logistical issues just by allowing Orange County residents.

“Therefore, Orange County will have a challenge because we are such a central location and such a magnet for the communities around it. Other people from the surrounding communities will try to get vaccinated here, so it will be interesting to see if people adhere to that, ”said Pino.

The goal is to vaccinate 1,500 people a day at the convention center.

Appointments are required and can be made online here. However, after the first day the online registration portal was closed after making more than 30,000 appointments in 24 hours.

“Right now, the Department is closing the CDR HealthPRO portal to other appointments,” an email from the Orange County Department said. “The Department will provide an update when the system reopens.”

Osceola and Seminole County vaccination sites are also open to non-county residents. For information about these counties, click or tap here.