Final First-Dose Vaccine Clinic Planned In Manatee County

BRADENTON, FL — After vaccinating nearly 134,000 Manatee County residents between January and mid-April, the county will host its final first-dose vaccination event Wednesday, 3 to 7 p.m., at Tom Bennett Park at 400 Cypress Creek Blvd. in Bradenton.

Those who receive a first dose Wednesday will be scheduled for a second drive-thru appointment at the park May 26.

"The county-operated vaccine sites have been extremely successful and I'm proud of the teams of people who helped make Manatee County's field operation a model for the entire state to follow,” Public Safety Director Jake Saur said. "But with the demand for doses declining, the Public Safety staff who have been coordinating the logistics for our drive-thru operations need to turn their focus toward hurricane season, which begins June 1."

The Department of Health in Manatee County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie added, “DOH-Manatee remains committed to vaccinating everyone who wants the COVID-19 vaccination. Through the drive-up operation scheduled next week and one-on-one efforts with community partners to organize closed points of dispensing, we hope to ensure the goal of getting as many people vaccinated as possible. Anyone who wants to get vaccinated can check the vaccine locator on the DOH website for many more opportunities to get vaccinated, as well.”

An estimated 161,326 Manatee County residents have been vaccinated in total, the county said. Many of those patients were vaccinated at locations that will continue to offer the vaccine into the summer.

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Select Publix, Winn Dixie, Walmart, Sam's Club and CVS locations are offering the COVID-19 vaccine. Check each pharmacy retailer's website to learn about vaccine availability.

A federal site is also open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. nearby in Hillsborough County at the Tampa Greyhound Track at 755 E. Waters Ave. in Tampa. Two mobile satellite sites will also be sent out to vaccinate individuals in underserved areas.

The DOH in Manatee County will continue to book vaccination appointments for patients who have underlying medical conditions that make them vulnerable to COVID-19.

Anyone interested in partnering with DOH-Manatee on a closed point of dispensing for COVID-19 vaccinations serving specific populations should call 941-748-0747.

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