Order-of-arrival vaccines available next week for senior citizens in Duval County

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – As of Monday, Duval County residents age 65 and older can receive COVID-19 vaccines at two Jacksonville senior centers, not by appointment, but based on the month of birth.

Vaccines will still be given by appointment at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, but demand for appointments has exceeded supply – which is likely to continue in the near future.

In response, as the city converts the elderly into Mandarin and on the west side of the COVID-19 test sites into places to receive vaccines, the city will offer vaccines based on the anniversary of the eligible recipient – no appointment required.

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All patients must provide a photo ID showing their date of birth and proof of residence in Duval County. Rescuers and health professionals must also bring a work badge. Although vaccinations are given on a first come, first served basis, eligible residents should visit the vaccination site only on the day of the week associated with the month of birth based on the following schedule:

• Monday – January and February
• Tuesday – March and April
• Wednesday – May and June
• Thursday – July and August
• Friday – September and October
• Saturday – November and December

These two vaccination stations will open from 11am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday:

• Mandarin Senior Center, 3848 Hartley Road
• Lane Wiley Senior Center, 6710 Wiley Road

Between the two sites, the city expects to vaccinate just under 1,000 people a day with the Pfizer vaccine.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the city has been committed to providing information, support and access to the resources that citizens need to manage their health, while medical experts work to understand and eliminate COVID-19,” said Mayor Lenny Curry in a statement. “With the establishment of two additional vaccination sites, we are taking a promising step towards the eradication of this virus and continuing our commitment to the Jacksonville community.”

The two centers stopped providing COVID-19 testing at 5 pm on Thursday to begin the transition to vaccination sites.

To assist in a safe and organized vaccination process, patients must follow the following guidelines:

• Masks must be worn at all times
• Physical distance requirements must be followed at all times
• Individuals who are feeling ill should not go to the vaccination site
• Patients must be in line no later than 6 pm
• Only caregivers can accompany patients in need of assistance to a vaccination site
• Patients must park in designated parking areas; patients cannot be left
• Parking and waiting in line at night will not be allowed
• Patients should follow traffic patterns and instructions from traffic monitors (is a map available at JaxReady.com/Virus?)

Patients must print and bring a DOH Vaccine Consent Screening Form completed at the vaccination site. The form is available at COJ.net/CovidVaccineForm.

The Florida Department of Health in Duval County began giving the COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna on Monday to anyone 65 years of age or older and health professionals who got an appointment.

New consultations for the COVID-19 vaccine will be added via the online system every Thursday at 5 pm, the health department said. On Thursday, more than 400,000 people tried to go online to schedule the new set of appointments, temporarily locking the site. All appointments were made in one hour.

The health department said the link will change each week and will be posted on the alerts page on the department’s website: duval.floridahealth.gov.

“I will remind people that we still have limited availability of this vaccine, and Governor DeSantis has prioritized its distribution to those most at risk. That is why personal responsibility remains our greatest tool in combating this virus, ”said Curry.

Curry acknowledged that the city’s coronavirus case numbers are “trending upwards” and again pointed to wearing masks indoors, social detachment, avoiding large crowds and washing hands frequently, as ways that Jacksonville residents can do your part to protect yourself, your families and your neighbors.

Duval County reported 6,323 new cases last week.

Curry said he is grateful to scientists, doctors and medical professionals who have worked so hard to make a vaccine available to the public so quickly.

“I am grateful to my team, community leaders and public servants for establishing plans to bring this necessary vaccine to our first responders, health professionals and vulnerable populations,” said Curry.

If in doubt, citizens can visit JaxReady.com/Virus or call 630-CITY (2489) to contact a customer service representative.