7 Things To Know About Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine In Sarasota

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — With coronavirus vaccine eligibility and registration requirements changing frequently, and pop-up events scheduled on the fly, it can be difficult to keep up with the vaccine distribution process and how to get inoculated.

If you’re interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, here’s everything you need to know about getting one in Sarasota County.

Who is eligible for the vaccine in Florida?

Since vaccine rollout began in December, the groups eligible to receive it have been constantly changing. At the beginning, it was only available to those 65 and older, frontline health care workers, and residents and staff of long-term health care facilities, as well as those who are medically vulnerable.

Starting April 5, the vaccine was made available to all Florida residents 18 and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has also been authorized for 16- and 17-year-olds, but they must be accompanied by a guardian and need to complete the COVID-19 vaccine screening and consent form.

Do you need to register for a vaccine in Sarasota County?

For months, Sarasota County has operated a vaccine registration system for those who want to be inoculated. Now, as of Monday at 5 p.m., the system will no longer accept new accounts.

Those currently registered will still be able to view their account, though, and the system will continue to schedule appointment notifications for the existing list of registrants.

If there’s no registration system, how do you receive your vaccine through Sarasota County?

The Department of Health in Sarasota county will operated blended first-dose vaccine clinics, welcoming those 18 and older for walk-up vaccinations, as well as those who pre-registered and have received an appointment confirmation.

Individuals arriving to the clinics with scheduled appointments will not have to wait in the walk-up lines.

The DOH will offer appointments until all those remaining in the system have been contacted.

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Where are vaccines being administered by Sarasota County?

The DOH in Sarasota County is primarily distributing the coronavirus vaccine through regular appointment-only vaccine clinics at the Sarasota Square Mall at 8201 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. This week, first-dose clinics will operate Tuesday through Saturday at the mall.

Both the county and state have offered pop-up clinics and closed vaccination distribution events at locations throughout the community. Follow Sarasota County on social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to learn more about these clinics and other vaccination efforts as they come about.

How do you get your second dose of the vaccine?

Those who make an appointment for their first vaccine dose with the DOH in Sarasota County will receive a second-dose reminder notification.

Walk-ups will not receive a second-dose notification, though, and should plan to return to the mall 28 days later.

What should you bring to your vaccination appointment?

Bring a valid ID, proof of appointment notice and a signed consent form, which can be accessed online here.

Where else can you get the vaccine?

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.

Sarasota County asks that anyone who receives their vaccine through a state site, another county or a pharmacy retail store removes their account from Sarasota’s vaccine registration system.

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