Vaccines arriving for the first time are available next week for seniors in Duval County

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Starting Monday, Duval County residents age 65 and older can receive COVID-19 vaccines at two Jacksonville Seniors Centers, not by appointment, but by month of birth.

Vaccines will still be given by appointment at the Prime Osborn convention center, but demand for appointments has exceeded supply, which is likely to continue in the near future.

In response, as the city converts seniors into Mandarin and Westside from COVID-19 test sites to vaccination sites, the city will offer vaccines based on the qualified recipient’s birthday, without prior appointment. .

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All patients must provide photo identification showing their date of birth and proof of residence in Duval County. First aiders and health workers must also wear a work badge. Although vaccines will be given on a first-come, first-served basis, eligible residents should only visit a vaccination site on the business day associated with their month of birth according to the following schedule:

• Monday – January and February
• Tuesday – March and April
• Wednesday – May and June
• Thursday – July and August
• Friday – September and October
• Saturday – November and December

These two vaccination sites will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday:

• Mandarin Senior Center, 3848 Hartley Road
• Lane Wiley Senior Center, 6710 Wiley Road

Between the two sites, the city expects to vaccinate just under 1,000 people each day with the Pfizer vaccine.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the city has been committed to providing the information, support, and access to resources that citizens need to manage their health as medical experts work to understand and eliminate COVID-19.” , Mayor Lenny Curry said in a statement. “With the establishment of two additional vaccination sites, we are taking a promising step toward eradicating this virus and continuing our commitment to the Jacksonville community.”

The two centers stopped providing COVID-19 testing at 5pm on Thursday to begin the transition to vaccination sites.

To help with a safe and organized vaccination process, patients should follow the following guidelines:

• You must wear masks at all times
• Physical distancing requirements must be followed at all times
• People who feel bad should not go to a vaccination site
• Patients should be in line by 6 p.m.
• Only caregivers can accompany patients who need care at a vaccination site
• Patients should park in designated parking areas; patients cannot be left
• You will not be allowed to park or wait in line for the night
• Patients should follow traffic patterns and instructions from traffic monitors (is a map available at JaxReady.com/Virus?)

Patients should print and bring a complete DOH vaccine verification and consent form to the vaccination site. The form is available at COJ.net/CovidVaccineForm.

The Florida Department of Health in Duval County began administering the Modern COVID-19 vaccine Monday to anyone 65 years of age or older and health care workers who could request an appointment.

New appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine will be added through the online system every Thursday at 5 p.m., the health department said. On Thursday, more than 400,000 people tried to get online to book the new set of appointments, temporarily blocking the website. All appointments were booked in less than an hour.

The health department said the link will change weekly and will be posted on the alert page on the department’s website: duval.floridahealth.gov.

“I will remind people that we still have limited availability of this vaccine, and Governor DeSantis has prioritized its distribution to those most at risk. That’s why personal responsibility remains our best tool in fighting this virus.” said Curry.

Curry acknowledged that the number of coronavirus cases in the city “is tending upward” and noted again that masks were worn indoors, that they socially distance themselves, that they avoid large crowds, and that they wash their hands frequently, of so Jacksonville residents can do their part to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors.

Duval County has reported 6,323 new cases in the last week.

Curry said he is grateful to the scientists, doctors and medical professionals who worked so hard to make a vaccine available to the public so quickly.

“I am grateful to my team, community leaders and public officials for establishing plans to get this vaccine needed for our first aid, medical workers and vulnerable populations,” Curry said.

For questions, citizens can visit JaxReady.com/Virus or call 630-CITY (2489) to stay connected with a customer service representative.