COVID cases, vaccine demand both dropping

Posted on March 12, 2021

While the number of positive COVID-19 test results continues to drop in Taylor County, the number of people calling to make an appointment to receive the vaccine through the local health department is also tapering off.

“We have definitely seen a decrease in the number of people coming to us for the vaccine, but again that is in the priority (ages 65 and older) group,” Department of Health-Taylor (DOH-Taylor) Operations Manager Martine Young told city council members while providing a COVID-19 update at the city’s March 9 meeting.

Eligibility requirements have been expanded to include K-12 educators, firefighters and sworn law enforcement officers over the age of 50, as well as healthcare workers of all types, including home health caregivers, who are all now eligible to call for an appointment to receive the Moderna vaccine, Young stated.

“We still have people trickling in,” Young said, adding that the minimum age will soon be lowered.

“We are still vaccinating based on the priority group of 65 and older until March 15, and then it drops to those 60 and older,” Young said.

“We are also accepting people with a declaration from their doctor that states they have a medical condition that makes them eligible for the vaccine. It does not necessarily have to say they are a diabetic or go into great detail,” she added.

“There is a DOH form that can be printed off online, and we have sent it to local provider (doctor) offices here. It is a one-page document that just has to be signed saying that this person needs the vaccine and are under their (doctor’s) care,” Young said. “That is a group we are starting to vaccinate.”

Young acknowledged that the number of local positive COVID-19 cases have dropped off recently, but added, “However, that does not mean they have disappeared.”

“We are still doing testing twice per week, but the big shift now is toward the vaccine,” Young said. “We still have cases in our community. We still encourage wearing masks and social distancing and we are definitely encouraging taking the vaccine.”

Young stated that the local DOH office in Taylor County is administering the Moderna vaccine, while there is one or more local physician offices that has the Pfizer vaccine.

“There is no word yet on if we are getting the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. There are some counties in Florida getting it – I think 11 of the larger counties – but no word on if, or when, they will be distributing it to others,” Young added.

The health department was scheduled to administer second doses of the vaccine to some 510 people on Wednesday this week, she said, adding that DOH-Taylor has appointments available as early as 9 a.m. for those eligible who want to receive a first dose on Friday.

Those who wish to schedule an appointment for the vaccine can call DOH-Taylor at (850) 584-5087.

“We have some things in the works to try and reach some of our different populations,” Young continued. “We are meeting with the local hospital to explore some options and get them to help us out with some things.

“We are excited to be able to do that and reach some outlier areas, like Steinhatchee, as well as home-bound people,” Young said. “We are looking for organizations that want to partner with us, such as faith-based organization to run a POD (point of distribution) and go in and do vaccinations.”

Young suggested that churches who may have people “who are nervous” about receiving the vaccine can book an appointment and use church vans to transport entire families to the vaccination site.

“Whatever makes people comfortable and helps us get the vaccine out to the community,” she said.

Councilwoman Shirlie Hampton asked about the possibility of a drive-thru vaccination site here.

“Yes, it is in the works. We have secured a location, but one of the biggest things we need is some type of covering so we can do it rain or shine. We have had less than five clinics when it has not rained on us,” Young said.

She added she has been working with City Councilman Ward Ketring (who also works as the county’s airport manager) to hold a drive-thru clinic under a large airport hangar or shelter at the local airport.

Young explained that a drive-thru clinic requires more logistics, because unlike testing, where a person can simply drive off after being swabbed, DOH-Taylor staff has to observe those receiving the vaccine afterward which requires traffic control and many more staff members.

City Manager Taylor Brown asked if there have been any local cases of the new COVID-19 variants.

“We don’t know, because we have not had any that we have actually tested for that sort of thing,” Young replied, adding that it requires a blood test “that we do not have access to here.”

“Mrs. Martine, will you tell them why I have this (face mask) off,” Hampton said at the beginning of the presentation.

“I gave her permission,” Young joked.

“If you all are wondering why I do not have on my facemask…I am fully vaccinated and have been for 30 days now. Plus I can’t breathe good today,” Hampton said.

Brown recognized Young and her team’s effort on conducting this vaccination program.

“Some of our city departments have played a role in this and witnessed first-hand the job they are doing. It is almost like a military operation down there,” Brown said.

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