After a difficult start, St. Johns County offers to help the health department with vaccine distribution

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The race to get a COVID-19 vaccine is causing a stir in St. Johns County.

On Thursday, a long line of cars stopped near the St. Johns County Health Department, as many waited hours for the vaccine.

After the issues, the St. Johns County Commissioners Council sent a letter to the department’s director, Dr. Dawn Allicock, after several meetings.

“Since the Department of Health started its vaccine program earlier this week, the Council of County Commissioners has been inundated with questions, concerns and complaints about the lack of public information and program management,” says the letter, obtained by News4Jax , in part. “As such, St. Johns County is again asking the St. Johns County Health Department to strongly reconsider and accept our partnership offer.”

Commissioner Council President Jeremiah Blocker wrote that commissioners wanted to see accelerated vaccine distribution in the community and “it became apparent to St. Johns County, and to the public as a whole, that the County Health Department of St. Johns requires additional assistance to complete this critical mass vaccination mission. “

The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County vaccinated people 65 and older for COVID-19 on Thursday and the department is administering the vaccines again in the morning, starting at 9.

Another crowd was in downtown St. Augustine on New Year’s Eve.

We just love it, it’s so beautiful every year, ”said Shelby Hancock.

Many people came and went from restaurants and bars on Thursday nights and looked at the beautiful lights, ready to play in the new year.

New Year’s Eve 2020 in Saint Augustine was a little different this year, with social distance and no fireworks.

“It’s definitely different with everyone having to wear masks and everything, but you just have to live life and be safe and everything,” said Hancock.

Sinclair Cerber and his family traveled from Miami.

“We saw a lot of people here without masks and we are just keeping the movement going,” said Cerber. “Staying outside so that we can do our best to stay safe, and after that, we’ll go back to the hotel and spend a quiet night at the hotel and stay safe with the family.”

Earlier in the day, a large crowd of people expected to start the new year with the COVID-19 vaccine.

“It tested my patience. That’s sure. Two and a half more hours in the car, ”said resident Michael Gurski.

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in St. Johns County, visit stjohns.floridahealth.gov. For additional information on local vaccination operations, contact the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County at 904-506-6081 or [email protected]. For additional information about the state’s vaccination plan, contact the Florida Department of Health at 866-779-6121 or [email protected].

At this point, the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County is still in the first phase of distributing the vaccine to the public, which includes:

• Health personnel with direct contact with the patient
• Residents and employees of long-term care institutions
• People aged 65 and over

The county received 3,000 doses of the vaccine and began giving injections to St. Johns County rescue personnel on Wednesday.

The county said it will actively provide additional information as more vaccines become available and the state Department of Health’s vaccination plan progresses. Visit the St. Johns County COVID-19 vaccination web page at www.sjcfl.us/coronavirusvaccinations or send a text message with SJCVACCINE to 888777 for updates.