Omicron Coronavirus Causes Holiday Concerns: Where To Get Tested, Vaccines In St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The recent surge of COVID-19 cases across the Tampa Bay area just before the holidays has some people getting tested and vaccinated before gathering with loved ones for Christmas.

Omicron is the dominant coronavirus variant that has overtaken the delta variant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is 95.2 percent present in the Southeast as of Dec. 18.

The Florida Department of Health urges residents to get vaccinated and use preventative measures such as wearing masks, washing your hands and social distancing to help stem the spread of the virus.

If you are going to be at family gatherings or in crowds during Christmas or for New Year's celebrations, these places in the St. Petersburg area are providing vaccines, boosters and testing through the holidays:

Pinellas County Department of Health, 2333 34th St. S., St. Petersburg, N. St. Petersburg, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday; closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; closed New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Metro Inclusive Health, 2521 Third Ave. N. St., St. Petersburg, open Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

CVS Pharmacy, 3426 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, offer appointments daily, check with your local CVS for hours (appointments must be made, click here to make appointment), Christmas Eve some CVS locations will close pharmacy at 2 p.m., CVS pharmacies closed on Christmas Day

Publix Supermarkets, 1700 34th St. N., St. Petersburg, check appointment availability here. Publix has regular hours on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.

Veterans Affair Bay Pines, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, open Monday through Friday for vaccines, testing, boosters. Closed Christmas Eve and Closed Christmas Day. Check the VA website for testing hours.

For more locations or additional information, visit vaccines.gov.