Vaccine clinic has 170+ openings

Posted on February 19, 2021

Despite a winter storm that delayed Taylor County’s 500-dose allotment of the COVID-19 vaccine, the local health department’s mass vaccination clinic set for today (Friday) at Forest Capital Hall is expected to go according to plan.

Icy roads and power outages across the country delayed some 200,000 Moderna vaccines scheduled to arrive in Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 16, forcing health departments across the state to cancel vaccine appointments.

However, the Taylor County Health Department (DOH-Taylor) had more than 300 unused doses from previous clinics available to give out today.

“Luckily, we are not having to call and cancel people. We have enough to cover both the first and second doses scheduled for today,” DOH-Taylor Operations Manager Martine Young said.

During last Friday’s clinic, DOH-Taylor experienced a shortage of appointments, and was only able to give out 320 of the allotted 500 available doses.

“It was a case of people either did not answer and call back, they had already received the vaccine, they did not want to drive to Taylor County – as there were lots on the list from Tampa, Miami — or they decided they did not want the vaccine,” Young said.

The remaining 180 doses were stored to be used for this week’s clinic.

“Things work mysteriously for a reason,” Young said, noting that without last week’s shortage of appointments, there would not have been enough doses for today’s clinic.

DOH-Taylor has 141 people age 65 years or older scheduled to receive their first dose of the vaccine at today’s vaccination clinic, with another 170 slots still available as of presstime Thursday.

According to Young, the health department was notified that the delayed 500 doses were shipped Thursday, Feb. 18.

At this time, those who are 65 years of age or older may receive their first dose of the COVID vaccine from DOH-Taylor by calling (850) 584-5087 to schedule an appointment.

Per Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order, those who are younger than age 65 do not yet qualify to receive the COVID vaccine from the state health department.

However, those younger than 65 years of age who are immunocompromised and would like to receive the vaccine may get a referral from their primary care provider to receive the vaccine from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital or Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

“For the health department to open vaccinations to those under 65, it must be a statewide order. At this time, the best option for those under age 65 is to speak to their primary care provider,” Young said.

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