Vaccine available to Jacksonville residents over 65 as of Monday; open appointments wednesday

Vaccine available to Jacksonville residents over 65 as of Monday; open appointments wednesday

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JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – Consultations for Jacksonville residents age 65 and older and any health care professional who has not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine can receive their first dose of the vaccine starting on Monday, according to the Florida Department of Health in Duval County.

Residents of Duval County who meet any of the criteria for receiving the vaccine can make an appointment from 8am on Wednesday. Calls can be made between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm every day of the week, except on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Turn on 904-253-1140 for an appointment, but remember that the wait can be long.

RELATED: COVID-19 vaccine in northeastern Florida: what we know by county

Vaccines will be administered at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. They are free and you will need a second dose to be as effective as possible.

Before making an appointment, know that:

  • Individuals must live in Duval County.
  • Proof of residence is required at the time of appointment (driver’s license, JEA ticket or other form of identification with home address).
  • There are no restrooms available for use during consultation.

Jacksonville firefighters, who started receiving the vaccine last Thursday, will help distribute the vaccines. Walk-ins are not allowed.

The commander of the COVID-19 incident at the Department of Health and Registered Nurse, Tawanda Washington, said the priority is to vaccinate people over 65 quickly.

“We want to start vaccinating as soon as possible, so that we can see some of our 65 or older people living in the community being vaccinated before the new year, even if they are not in a long-term care facility,” said Washington.

Washington said his team is working with local hospitals to administer vaccines to healthcare providers not affiliated with hospitals. This would include doctors’ offices and locally administered pharmacies.

Washington said Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office staff, private ambulance teams and inmates would be at the top of the list. She said that Duval County Prison has a large population in a small area, so it is important to vaccinate there.

Rein Vandervelde, a home care physiotherapist, said the vaccine’s arrival is a moment he had hoped for.

“We even deal with COVID patients who are not sick enough to go to the hospital, but stay at home and are quarantined,” said Vandervelde.

Vandervelde cares for many patients at home, including Dana Parker, 65, who was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome.

“I would feel much better if I had the vaccine,” said Parker. “I am not afraid of that. I’m more afraid without it. “

RELATED: Clay County begins scheduling vaccination appointments | St. Johns County to announce plan soon

Some who work in the private health field, like Jacque Dennie, desperately want the vaccine and feel that it did not work.

“I really tried to get answers from my nurses,” said Dennie, from Fletcher Home Care. “They don’t work at the hospital. They do not work in nursing homes. However, they care for more than clinically complex children in our area and would also like the vaccine ”.

Some Central Florida seniors started receiving vaccines on Tuesday. Seminole County became the first in the state when it started giving injections near the Oviedo Mall food court on Tuesday afternoon.

Seminole County President Lee Constantine said. “It is a very exciting day for all of us, and especially, and I hope for our residents. It’s also a great day for the state of Florida because, again, starting now, One shot at a time, we’re going to save lives. “

Frontline workers at local hospitals started receiving their vaccines two weeks ago at UF Health Jacksonville, followed by other medical centers. CVS and Walgreen’s are currently working with the state to vaccinate employees and residents of long-term care facilities.

News4Jax is working to learn more about vaccine appointments, availability and locations in Jacksonville and surrounding counties. We will have details on locations and times and how to apply as soon as they become available.

Copyright 2020 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.

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