Hillsborough Resumes Vaccinations For Senior Wednesday

Tampa FL

11 January, 2021

11:56 AM

Description

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Armed with a fresh supply of 9,000 coronavirus vaccines, the Florida Department of Health-Hillsborough County will begin a second round of vaccinations for residents age 65 and up at three distribution sites Wednesday through Friday. Appointments are mandatory to get the first of two vaccine injections. Appointments will be scheduled online by the CDR HealthPro portal and by phone on Tuesday, Jan. 12. To make it easier for residents to register and avoid the overwhelming numbers that caused the system to crash last week, residents can only make their appointments during the designated timeframe for their age group. Residents age 85 and older can book an appointment between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.Residents age 75 to 84 can book an appointment between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.Residents age 65 to 74 can book an appointment between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.After 5 p.m., any resident age 65 and older can book any remaining slots while appointments remain available. Each age group has a dedicated number of appointment slots available to help ensure equity in scheduling. After firing the previous provider, the county has contracted to use the online CDR HealthPro portal and call center, which is available for residents without access to the internet. The system will not allow for appointment scheduling outside each age group's designated appointment time window. Residents are encouraged to book their vaccine appointments online. Though appointment scheduling must be done only during the timeframe set aside for specific age groups, residents can save time by visiting the site Monday and creating an account in advance. This will make the process quicker and easier when it is time to schedule an appointment. Those without access to the internet can make appointments by calling 850-848-5287. The call center is available for account creation Monday as well. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can provide guidance in English and Spanish. This call center is for account creation and scheduling appointments only. Those needing medical guidance will be instructed to hang up and contact their health care providers. Residents who create their account in advance should write down and save login information for use when they return to schedule their appointments. Appointments can be made for the vaccination site most convenient to them. Appointments for the required second dose can be made at the time of scheduling as well. There will be no vaccines for residents without appointments, and there will be no waiting list. The three vaccine distribution sites for all residents age 65 and older who live in Hillsborough County and its three incorporated cities are: Vance Vogel Sports Complex, 13012 Bullfrog Creek Road, GibsontonStrawberry Festival Fairgrounds, 2700 W. Risk St., Plant CityEd Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa All sites will be open from Wednesday through Friday. 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. Those arriving ahead of schedule may be turned away and instructed to return at their scheduled time. For more information about vaccines and what to expect at the appointment, click here. DOH-Hillsborough Director Dr. Doug Holt said he expects to receive limited supplies of vaccine from the state weekly during the next several weeks to continue vaccinating senior citizens. Vaccination appointments will be provided to the public based on the amount of vaccine received. Hillsborough County is in the first phase of the state's vaccine distribution plan, which means vaccines are only being given to residents and staff at long-term care facilities, front-line health care workers, first responders and people age 65 and older. Last week, the county vaccinated 8,447 people age 65 and up and 522 front-line workers. In addition to the state's 67 county health departments, vaccines are being distributed to hospitals and some private health care systems. Those qualified to receive vaccines in the first phase can also check with their health care providers to see if they can get a vaccine. See related stories: Churches Host Vaccine Clinics; Counties Awaiting More DosesHillsborough Commissioner Calls Vaccine Registration 'Clown Show'Registration Complete For 1st 3K Vaccines; County Lends A HandHillsborough Vaccine Appointments Closed; Waiting For ShipmentHillsborough County To Begin Vaccinating Those Age 65 And Older