How do you sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine in Manatee County? Here’s what you need to know
Up to 300 people a day 65 and or older will begin receiving COVID-19 vaccination shots on Wednesday, according to Manatee County officials.
Speaking with the media Tuesday morning, Dr. Jennifer Bencie, health officer with the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County, said the state has provided the county with 3,500 doses of the Moderna vaccine. These vaccines have been earmarked for anyone older than 65 years old.
“We found out yesterday morning that they received 3,500 doses, but there are over 100,000 people in the county who fit that description of 65 and older,” Bencie said. “So we need the media to help get that message out there to be patient.”
The vaccine distribution will be handled as a partnership between Manatee County government and the Department of Health. In order to receive a shot, residents must schedule an appointment online by visiting www.MyManatee.org/vaccine or by calling the county’s 311 informational hotline.
All vaccines are provided free of charge. According to health officials, this vaccine distribution is strictly for those older than 65 years old. There are no vaccines available for those who do not meet that requirement, even if they have underlying conditions.
Even as officials announced the registration website Tuesday morning, there was heavy demand, according to Emergency Chief Steve Litschauer. More than 500 applications had been received by 10:30 a.m.
By Tuesday afternoon, appointments had been completely booked through Monday. Additional appointments will become available in the coming days.
The vaccine will be distributed in a drive-thru format. As of Tuesday morning, more than 1,000 Manatee residents, including hospital staff and first responders, had been vaccinated.
Public health officials have strongly recommended vulnerable populations, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, to receive the vaccine as quickly as possible.
As the county distributes the vaccine, the state will continue to provide more shipments, said James Crutchfield, chief of Manatee County EMS. As soon as the county distributes 3,000 vaccines, the state will send additional doses.
Officials expect to announce additional vaccination dates, locations and online appointments every Monday at 2 p.m.
“We will continue to distribute vaccines until we have none,” he said, noting that shots will be available every day for the foreseeable future.
How do I sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine in Manatee County?
There is no proof of local residency or U.S. citizenship required, but clients must prove they are older than 65 years old with valid ID. Officials also urged clients to make sure they are available to receive their second dose of the vaccine 28 days later.
Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech version of the COVID-19 vaccine, which has a shorter turnaround of 21 days for the second dose, Moderna’s vaccine requires a second shot approximately 28 days after the first one.
Those who sign up to receive the vaccine must also complete a Department of Health COVID-19 Screening and Consent Form, which is also available at www.MyManatee.org/Vaccine. That form must be taken to the appointment, as well.
Vaccines will be distributed from the Public Safety Center, 2101 47th Terrace East, Bradenton on Wednesday and Thursday. Starting Friday, the county will shift the operation to Bennett Park, 400 Cypress Creek Blvd., near the Interstate 75/State Road 64 interchange in Bradenton, where they will be able to supply 500 shots per day.
There are no immediate plans to further expand the vaccination program, but additional locations will be announced once more vaccines become available.
Bencie stressed patience as the county works to increase vaccine availability by working with local partners and organizations.
“This is just the beginning. We’re trying to get this up operationally and continue to build on it,” said Bencie, who suggested a vaccine partnership with MCR Health and private physicians. “Bear with us. We are trying to exponentially expand.”
However, there is still no clear timeframe for when the distribution program may expand to include those younger than 65 years of age. Those guidelines are determined by health officials in Tallahassee, Bencie explained.
Despite the “early launch” of the vaccine, Bencie also urged residents to continue practicing social distancing and other precautions that prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“The message is please don’t let your guard down, even if you’ve been vaccinated, continue to wear your mask. Do the social distancing, the handwashing. We need to get to herd immunity,” she said. “About 75 or 80 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated to reach that herd immunity, so we still have a ways to go.”
“Vaccines are a wonderful addition now to getting us on that path to recovery,” Bencie added.
State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, who also participated in Tuesday’s briefing, agreed that the distribution of vaccines is welcome news.
“This is a gargantuan effort and I applaud you,” Boyd said. “Thank you for your hard work and thank you for keeping Manatee County safe.”
How do I sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine in Sarasota County?
The Florida Department of Health also provided information Tuesday afternoon about how to sign up for a vaccine in Sarasota. Starting Tuesday at 2 p.m., the department is offering 150 shots to frontline health workers and anyone who is at least 65 years old. Frontline workers are asked to show proof of employment ID.
Health officials in Sarasota are also supplying the Moderna vaccine, which requires a second dose 28 days after the first injection.
To sign up for an appointment on Tuesday or Wednesday, visit sarasota.floridahealth.gov. Visitors must also complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form and bring it with them to their appointment.
Sarasota’s vaccines will be distributed at William L. Little Health and Human Services building, 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Officials say more appointments will be made available at a later date.
This story was originally published December 29, 2020 at 10:59 AM.
