Health & Fitness

Governor Hosts Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic So Pasco County Can Catch Up

Gov. Ron DeSantis said only 42 percent of seniors in Pasco have been vaccinated, falling behind the state average of 50 percent.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis said only 42 percent of seniors in Pasco have been vaccinated, falling behind the state average of 50 percent.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said only 42 percent of seniors in Pasco have been vaccinated, falling behind the state average of 50 percent. (Governor's Office)

TAMPA, FL — More than 3,000 Pasco County seniors who have been fruitlessly attempting to get a coronavirus vaccination through the county's appointment portal for the past two months were surprised to be chosen to receive a shot at state pop-up clinic in Zephyrhills this week.

During a news conference in Pasco County Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the opening of a state-run pop-up vaccination site in Zephyrhills, offering 3,300 first doses of Pfizer vaccine over a three-day period.

The Pasco seniors receiving vaccinations were chosen from the county's registry through CDR Maguire Health & Medical.

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The site at SunTrust Bank, 5435 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills, was one of several pop-up sites organized by the governor's office this week in counties that are falling behind the state average for vaccinating seniors age 65 and up.

"If you look at all the metrics, we’re one of the top in the country in vaccinating seniors," DeSantis said. "But in Pasco, we’re at 42 percent of seniors. We want to get it over 50 percent."

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According to the Department of Health-Pasco County, 66,773 people have been vaccinated in the county including 29,833 people who have received their second doses.

Unlike neighboring Hillsborough County, which opted to use the state-run registration system to vaccinate seniors, Pasco County uses its own registration system managed by vendor CDR Maguire.

That's been a source of frustration to Pasco County seniors because the system won't place them on a waiting list. They have to go online or call each Sunday at 2 p.m. to try to get an appointment. And appointments are generally claimed minutes after the site opens.

Seniors have been pleading with Pasco County officials to adopt a system like the one used in Pinellas County. Pinellas County also uses CDR Maguire to register seniors for vaccinations. However, the county allows seniors to be placed on a waiting list. The seniors are then notified by CDR Maguire when it's their turn.

"The vaccination program in Pasco County is a farce," said Pasco County resident Allan Goldarbit. "There is no communication between country health officials and citizens about vaccination availability. It is the most haphazard effort I have ever witnessed. I have given up trying to get an appointment. It's not worth the aggravation and time wasted only to be told there are no appointments available when I am there the exact second appointments open."

Those who weren't lucky enough to be chosen for DeSantis's pop-up vaccination site can attempt to get an appointment this Sunday at 2 p.m. by calling 1-844-770-8548 or logging into the patientportalfl.com.

The county vaccination sites are located at the former Sears at Gulf View Square mall in Port Richey and at Saint Leo University.

Residents can also get appointments through Publix, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores in Pasco County as well. Residents can click here to find the nearest vaccination site.

DeSantis said select Walgreens pharmacies began offering vaccines to seniors this week as well. The pharmacy is offering about 80 appointments on weekdays and 60 on Saturday and Sunday at the Walgreens at 12028 Majestic Blvd. in Hudson and 6429 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills.

CVS pharmacy is offering vaccinations at select pharmacies in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties but there are no locations in Pasco County yet.

Additionally, over the past several weeks, Pasco County Emergency Management has coordinated the distribution of 13,257 vaccines to people age 65 and older living in retirement communities. The DOH-Pasco is also working with large medical groups to vaccinate staff and patients age 65 and older.

DeSantis announced that those under age 65 who have medical conditions that put them at an increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus can be vaccinated through their hospital providers, licensed physicians, licensed registered nurses and pharmacists by providing a statement from a doctor certifying that the patient meets the criteria for vulnerable established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC criteria includes:

The Florida Department of Health released a new form this week for doctors to fill out to certify a patient as extreme vulnerable.

For more information on CDC guidelines, click here.

The DOH- Pasco is also offering vaccinations to:

  • Long-term care facility residents and staff
  • Health care personnel with direct patient contact
  • K-12 school personnel over the age of 50
  • Firefighters over the age of 50
  • Law enforcement officers over the age of 50

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