How To Get A Coronavirus Vaccine In Sarasota County

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Though the COVID-19 vaccine rollout started slowly in Florida — and Sarasota County — vaccination has ramped up in recent weeks.

Eligibility for the vaccine has been frequently updated through direct orders from Gov. Ron DeSantis. Sarasota County also recently updated its vaccine registration system to adapt to these changes in eligibility.

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

Who is eligible for the vaccine?

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.

Through the governor’s most recent executive order, as of Monday, all Floridians 50 and older are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

Who can register for the vaccine in Sarasota County?

Through Sarasota County’s new vaccine registration system, all adults 18 and older can pre-register for the vaccine. Only those currently eligible for the vaccine will be assigned an account number, though.

"This new revised system will allow anyone to register from age 18 all the way up in anticipation of the age continuing to drop over time," Chuck Henry, the Department of Health in Sarasota County’s health officer said. "But we're only going to issue that inline number to those currently eligible."

How will vaccine appointments be made?

Names will be pulled from the county’s vaccine registration system in the order they registered, even as vaccine eligibility changes.

Those who registered with the county prior to the new system won’t lose their place in line, Henry said.

How can you register for the vaccine?

Adults 18 and older can pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine through Sarasota County's updated Everbridge registration system online here. People can also register by calling 941-861-VAXS (8297).

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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.

Henry announced at Tuesday’s Sarasota Board of County Commissioners meeting that the DOH has secured a second location at Sarasota Square Mall to begin simultaneous first- and second-dose clinics at the same site Wednesday.

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.

How do those who are medically vulnerable and under the eligible age receive the vaccine?

The DOH in Sarasota County has a dedicated process for those who meet the criteria for medically vulnerable.

Those who are medically vulnerable should call the DOH at 941-861-2883 Monday through Friday during regular business hours to set up a vaccination appointment with community partners and physicians. They can also receive the vaccine through retail pharmacies and the federal site in Tampa.

You must have a physician fill out a COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability Form, which can be found here.

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