Orange County announces expanded vaccine eligibility

Orange County announced an expansion of eligible groups for the COVID-19 vaccine in a press conference March 15.

Florida residents ages 60 and older became eligible for vaccination the same day across the state, and Gov. RonDeSantis said those 55 and older will be eligible at some point in March.

In Orange County, Mayor Jerry Demings wrote a letter to the state requesting that all who serve in law enforcement, corrections and fire departments be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Orange County Convention Center – not just sworn officers. That request was granted, and those eligible can receive the vaccine at the Convention Center site run by the Florida Department of Health in Orange County.

Eligibility at the Orange County Convention Center COVID-19 vaccination site now includes the following:

• People age 60 and older
• Law-enforcement officers, corrections, firefighters and staff (any age)
• Long-term care facility residents and staff (any age)
• Health care professions with direct patient contact (any age)
• Educators and staff in schools/colleges/licensed day cares (any age)
• Extremely medically vulnerable/high-risk (Resident must bring required state form signed by a physician. Residents who are un/under-insured can visit a primary care access clinic to see a physician.)

For more information on expanded eligibility, ocfl.net/Vaccinehttp://ocfl.net/Vaccine. 

ADVENTHEALTH OPENING

AdventHealth and Orange County are providing another COVID-19 vaccine opportunity for Central Florida seniors. The vaccines will be distributed Friday, March 19, at AdventHealth’s community vaccination site near Orlando International Airport.

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County is supplying more than 3,500 doses, which will only be available to those 60 years and older who are eligible under state and federal guidelines.

Appointments are required. A signup link will be available on Orange County’s webpage.  

FEMA SITES

Additionally, the FEMA-operated vaccination hub at Valencia College West Campus, 1800 S. Kirkman Road, remains open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is open indefinitely for those eligible under state and federal guidelines. No appointments are necessary. 

A temporary FEMA satellite location in east Orlando – at the South Econ Park gymnasium, 3850 S. Econlockhatchee Trail – will be open until Wednesday March 17, for walk-up service only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional FEMA satellite locations will be announced once approved by the state.

For a 10-week period, the Florida Department of Emergency Management soon will be operating at the Orange County Public Library’s South Trail Branch for walk-up COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible residents. Details and operational hours can be found soon by clicking here.