All Adults 18 And Older Can Register For The Vaccine In Manatee

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — As Florida expands its coronavirus vaccine eligibility to everyone 50 and older Monday, Manatee County has expanded pre-registration for its vaccine standby pool to all adults 18 and older.

Those who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can pre-register through the county’s online registration system at vax.mymanatee.org or by calling Manatee County’s call center at 311.

Although anyone 18 and older can now enroll for the standby pool, the county won’t vaccinate anyone younger than 50 until directed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the county said in a news release.

This week, the county will administer 16,400 first-dose vaccines to adults 50 and older at Tom Bennett Park and the Public Safety Center.

As of Thursday, nearly 78,000 patients have received at least a first dose of the vaccine through a county-operated vaccination-site, the county said. The county has contacted everyone 65 and older in their standby pool at least one time since vaccine rollout began.

"(This) week will be the largest number of vaccine doses Manatee County has administered in one week," Public Safety Director Jacob Saur said. "As the age group continues to lower for eligibility of the COVID-19 vaccine, Manatee County will work quickly to adapt and keep up our brisk pace vaccinating residents."

Manatee County COVID-19 vaccine appointment notifications will come via a phone call from 941-742-4300 or a text message from 88911.

For more information on coronavirus vaccines in Florida, see the Florida Patch COVID-19 vaccination page.