FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – Members of the general public aged 65 and over will be able to obtain COVID-19 on Wednesday, thanks to Broward Health.
Those who wish to be vaccinated will do so in an undisclosed location after making an appointment.
Broward Health officials said doses of the vaccine will not be distributed at the Fort Lauderdale hospital and will only disclose the location to those who have made an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, in an effort to prevent people from attending the hospital.
Those who meet age requirements do not have to live in Broward County.
“We finally have the vaccine here,” said Dr. Aldo Calvo of Broward Health. “This is monumental, it really hits a milestone in this COVID-19 pandemic.”
They plan to vaccinate 20 people every hour, totaling about 100 people a day.
“We will do our best to not only schedule your first dose, but also your second dose,” said Calvo.
Health officials will distribute the Modern vaccine and are optimistic that this moment will be a turning point in the pandemic.
“Our community has been fighting this for more than eight months,” said Calvo. “We asked everyone to wear a mask, keep some sort of physical distance, wash their hands, quarantine for people under investigation and now we finally have the vaccine here to be offered at age 65 or older, anyone aged 65 or over age or older. You do not have to participate in a specific network, nobody in the community. “
Other health professionals may also receive the vaccine, including members of the EMS.
Holy Cross Health is also administering the vaccine to patients 75 years of age or older.
“We are ready to start,” said Holy Cross Health CEO Mark Doyle. “We have health professionals who work 24 hours a day to vaccinate all of our shifts.”
Also starting on Wednesday, vaccination appointments will also be available at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston.
The Cleveland Clinic will start vaccinating individuals over 65 and patients in high-risk categories with diseases such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart disease, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, type 2 diabetes and those who are immunocompromised.
Doctors hope that as more doses of the vaccine are delivered, brighter, healthier days are ahead.
“As they say, the light at the end of the tunnel – I can see that,” said Calvo.
Broward Health officials say that no one will be able to get the vaccine without making an appointment first.
To schedule an appointment, call Broward Health’s Nurse Connect at 954-759-7500.
With the demand for vaccination high, the phone lines are busy and may require those wishing to be tested to call several times to speak to an operator.
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