Hillsborough County To Begin Vaccinating Residents Age 65 And Older Wednesday

From Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County:

December 31, 2020

By Kevin Watler, Public Information Officer

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County in partnership with Hillsborough County Emergency Management, will begin vaccinating residents age 65 and older on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

Hillsborough has allocated an initial 4,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed to front line health care workers and the vulnerable population of residents age 65 and older. About 1,500 of those vaccine doses will be distributed at four vaccine distribution sites strategically located across the county beginning on Jan 6.

Appointments are mandatory for residents age 65 and older to get the first of two vaccine injections. Appointments can be made online at HCCOVID19Shot.as.me beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4 . Residents can make an appointment for the test site most convenient for them. For residents without Internet access, appointments also are available by calling 888-755-2822. The phone line will be open beginning Monday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be no vaccines for residents without appointments, and there is no waiting list.

Hillsborough County expects new supplies of vaccines from the state weekly, and vaccination appointments will be made available based on supply. As a reminder, Hillsborough County is in Phase I of the vaccine distribution plan as outlined and directed by the Governor of Florida. Phase I is categorized by limited supply of vaccine availability and is focused on long-term care facilities (residents and staff); front line healthcare workers; and persons 65 years and over. Limited availability is anticipated over the next several weeks.

The four vaccine distribution sites are: North University Mall (parking lot) 2200 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33612 South Vance Vogel Sports Complex 13012 Bullfrog Creek Road, Gibsonton, FL 33534 East Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds 2700 W. Risk St., Plant City, FL 33563 West Ed Radice Sports Complex 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa, FL 33626

These sites were chosen for their geographic diversity, available resources, and population density of residents age 65 and older. Details about access to the vaccine distribution sites will be given to residents upon appointment confirmation. The west site at Ed Radice Sports Complex and the east site at the Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds will open Wednesday, Jan 6.The north site at University Mall and the south site at Vance Vogel Sports Complex will open Thursday, Jan. 7.

This video helps to explain what residents can expect at a drive-through vaccine distribution site.

The State of Florida has made about 74,000 vaccines available for health care partners across Hillsborough County, including Tampa General Hospital, BayCare Health System, CVS, and Walgreens. Hillsborough County Emergency Management also is coordinating with the State for mobile distribution of vaccines to group homes and independent living facilities that meet the State’s criteria.

Residents

Please understand that the vaccine is not widely available in Hillsborough County at this time and the distribution plans depend on vaccine supplies. Supplies are provided by the federal government and distributed to the states, which then allocate them to counties.

As Hillsborough County receives sufficient supplies and is able to announce detailed distribution plans, updates will be posted at HCFLGov.net/Vaccine . We expect to be able to accommodate appointments for the vaccine for priority groups the first part of January. Should you have general questions about the vaccine, please call the state hotline at (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Medical Workers

At this time, a limited amount of COVID-19 vaccine has been received by County Health Departments; as more doses become available, County Health Departments will work with community partners to provide vaccines to medical workers. We will communicate with the medical community when it becomes available for those outside of hospital and Long-Term Care Facility settings.

For the latest on public COVID-19 vaccination in Hillsborough County, visit HCFLGov.net/Vaccine .

Medical Providers

DOH-Hillsborough received a very small amount of vaccine and have plans to ensure community based providers get vaccinated. That being said, the vaccine production will determine the when and how. Based on the availability of the vaccine (which will determined be week to week), we do intend provide vaccine to healthcare providers to vaccinate staff.

There will be two methods:

1 – We (DOH) provides vaccines to the provider using a Closed Point of Dispensing (POD) agreement. Does require the agency to obtain a FLSHOTS account and update the system on vaccines given. Just a note: Several providers have formed agreements with other providers to become the “POD” for the group.

2 – As vaccines become more available, we’ll be setting up a vaccination POD for HCW only. This would be open to any HCW who can show (ID) whom they are affiliated with.

Either way, we are encouraging all healthcare providers to register with FLSHOTS as a Vaccine for Adult (VFA) or Vaccine for Children (VFC) provider. Although you cannot – at this time – order the COVID vaccine through this system, once it becomes more widely available, then you would be allowed to.

Attachments for Providers:

Provider Information for COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment

COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment Process for Providers

Should you want to enter into an MOU please email us.

This press release was produced by the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. The views expressed are the author's own.