187,500 More People Now Eligible For Vaccines In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Residents age 50 and older can now make appointments to receive a coronavirus vaccination later this week at Hillsborough County’s public vaccination site at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, 4121 N. 50th St. in Tampa.

Vaccine eligibility has been expanded to all people age 50 to 59 age in alignment with the governor’s Executive Order 21-67 issue Friday.

In addition to vaccinating this new age group, others eligible for a vaccine at the TPepin’s site include:

• Health care personnel with direct patient contact
• Prekindergarten through grade 12 school employees (public, private and charter)
• People deemed medically vulnerable by a physician with a signed COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability form.

To make an appointment, go to the CDR Health Pro patient portal at patientportalfl.com.

Vaccinations at county-run sites are by appointment only. Those without appointments and without proof of eligibility will be turned away.

There are two steps to make an appointment. First, set up an account on the patient portal. Then choose from available appointments for the first dose. The system will automatically assign a date and time for the second dose. If there are no appointments available, keep checking back.

Up to now, age eligibility was limited to 60 and older. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 187,500 people in Hillsborough County in the age range of 50 to 59.

The TPepin’s vaccination site is an indoor location. Registration, vaccinations and observation all take place inside the building. Enter the parking area via Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

For important details about being vaccinated at a Hillsborough County site, including what to bring and what to expect, click here.

The county’s other public vaccination sites at Vance Vogel Sports Complex and Ed Radice Sports Complex will be giving second doses of vaccine to residents with previously scheduled appointments this week.

Vaccinations are free. A doctor’s note or prescription is not required. Health insurance information is being collected in accordance with federal guidance; however, residents will not be asked to pay a copay or deductible. Those who do not have health insurance will still be vaccinated.

Other Vaccination Options

James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital & Clinics and the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County have joined forces to make vaccines available to the following community members who meet State of Florida guidelines and who are:

• A veteran not currently enrolled (not currently a patient receiving care in the Tampa VA) or
• A family member of any veteran whether a patient of Tampa VA or not
• A family member of a Tampa VA employee

Tampa VA is administering vaccines by appointment only. Those who meet both sets of criteria to receive the vaccine should click here to schedule an appointment.

Residents can also get vaccinated at the Federal Emergency Management Agency site at Tampa Greyhound Track, 755 E. Waters Ave., Tampa. No appointment is needed. The site is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

There are numerous other sites throughout Hillsborough County that are currently administering the vaccine to eligible individuals including Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Winn-Dixie and Publix.

Click here for an appointment at Publix.

Click here for an appointment at Winn-Dixie.

Click here for an appointment at CVS.

Click here for an appointment at Walmart.

To find all vaccination sites in Hillsborough County, visit the

Florida vaccination locator.

See related stories:

• CDC Relaxes School Distancing As FL Tops 2M COVID Cases
• Florida To Begin Vaccinating Residents Age 50 And Up Monday
• How To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In Florida