Pinellas Opens More Vaccination Clinics As COVID-19 Rates Rise

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — To help reduce the number of rising coronavirus cases in Pinellas County, the county is hosting vaccination clinics at which those being vaccinated will receive a $20 food voucher.

The introduction of the more contagious delta variant of the coronavirus has caused the number of positive cases to soar in Florida. Pinellas County hospitals say 80 to 90 percent of the coronavirus patients being admitted are not vaccinated.

Currently, 569,502 people, or 64 percent of the population, in Pinellas County has been vaccinated, according to the DOH.

From Aug. 22-28, the CDC reported 6,799 people tested positive for coronavirus in Pinellas County for an 18.9 percent positivity rate. Of those, 838 were hospitalized.

Hospitals in Pinellas have canceled all elective surgeries, but say the numbers are continuing to strain hospital resources.

According to Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of the Pinellas County Department of Health, vaccines remain the single-most effective weapon against the virus.

"If we are to end the COVID-19 epidemic, we all need to do our part to get one of the safe, effective vaccines offered at no cost throughout the nation," he said. "With precautions such as using face masks, staying socially distanced and practicing good hand hygiene, you can protect yourself, your loved ones and the community."

Free vaccination clinics will take place:

• Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo.
• Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 200 Central office building, 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Health officials are especially anxious to vaccinate qualified youngsters as coronavirus rates skyrocket at public schools across the county. Epidemiologists say the delta variant of the coronavirus, now the predominant strain, impacts children to a greater extent than the original alpha variant.

With that in mind, the clinics will provide Pfizer vaccinations for children age 12 to 15 following the Food and Drug Administration approval of an emergency authorization for that age group. There is no approved vaccine for children under the age of 12 at this time.

Outreach events are open to the public without an appointment.

The DOH-Pinellas also sends its outreach team to businesses and community locations several times a week.

If your place of employment is interested in hosting a vaccine outreach clinic, complete this survey.

Vaccines are provided at no cost throughout Pinellas without an appointment or a wait. To find all locations where vaccines are provided, click here.

Because the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise, the county has also opened a no-cost, no-appointment testing site at the Center for Health Equity, 2333 34th St. S., St. Petersburg.

In its first four days, the site operated by CDR Maguire provided 2,848 tests to the public. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice.

For information about this CDR Maguire test site, call (800) 232-0233.

Residents can also get tested at CVS, Walgreens and urgent care clinics providing testing in Pinellas. A complete list of testing sites is available here.

See related stories:

• Pinellas County Opens Free Coronavirus Testing Site
• Pinellas County Coronavirus Transmission 'High': CDC
• Pinellas Sees Record Number Of COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations
• HSN To Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics In Pinellas Park