Update: Hillsborough County Set To Expand Vaccination Operations For Residents Age 65 And Older

From Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County:

January 4, 2021

By Kevin Watler, Public Information Officer

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, in partnership with Hillsborough County, is set to expand its vaccination efforts to residents age 65 and older this week.

Based on a transfer of 3,000 doses from Tampa General Hospital, a partner in the County’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, as well as additional vaccine anticipated to arrive from the State of Florida this week, Hillsborough will be providing a total of 9,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the vulnerable population of residents age 65 and older.

Appointments are mandatory for residents age 65 and older to get the first of two vaccine injections. Appointments can be made online at HCCOVID19Shot.as.me beginning today, Monday, Jan. 4. Residents can make an appointment for the vaccination site most convenient for them. For residents without Internet access, appointments also are available by calling 888-755-2822. The phone line will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be no vaccines for residents without appointments, and there is no waiting list.

The doses will be distributed at four vaccine distribution sites strategically located across the county beginning on Wednesday, Jan 6.

This week’s schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Jan. 6

• Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds, 2700 W. Risk St., Plant City, FL 33563
• Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa, FL 33626

Thursday, Jan. 7

• University Mall (parking lot), 2200 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33612
• Vance Vogel Sports Complex, 13012 Bullfrog Creek Road, Gibsonton, FL 33534

Friday, Jan. 8

• University Mall (parking lot)
• Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds
• Ed Radice Sports Complex

Saturday, Jan. 9

• University Mall (parking lot)
• Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds

These sites were chosen for their geographic diversity, available resources, and population density of residents age 65 and older. Details about access to the vaccine distribution sites will be given to residents upon appointment confirmation. Subsequent weeks’ schedules will be based on vaccine supply.

This video helps to explain what residents can expect at a drive-through vaccine distribution site.

The State of Florida has made about 74,000 vaccines available for health care partners across Hillsborough County, including Tampa General Hospital, BayCare Health System, CVS, and Walgreens. Hillsborough County Emergency Management also is coordinating with the State for mobile distribution of vaccines to group homes and independent living facilities that meet the State’s criteria.

Hillsborough County expects new supplies of vaccines from the state weekly, and vaccination appointments will be made available based on supply. As a reminder, Hillsborough County is in Phase I of the vaccine distribution plan as outlined and directed by the Governor of Florida. Phase I is categorized by limited supply of vaccine availability and is focused on long-term care facilities (residents and staff); front line healthcare workers; and persons 65 years and over. Limited availability is anticipated over the next several weeks.

Residents

Please understand that the vaccine is not widely available in Hillsborough County at this time and the distribution plans depend on vaccine supplies. Supplies are provided by the federal government and distributed to the states, which then allocate them to counties.

Should you have general questions about the vaccine, please call the state hotline at (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Medical Workers

DOH-Hillsborough will work with community partners to provide COVID-19 vaccine to medical workers. We will communicate with the medical community when it becomes available for those outside of hospital and Long-Term Care Facility settings.

For the latest on public COVID-19 vaccination in Hillsborough County, visit HCFLGov.net/Vaccine .

Medical Providers

Based on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, which will determined be week to week, we do intend provide vaccine to healthcare providers to vaccinate staff.

There will be two methods:

1 – DOH provides vaccines to the provider using a Closed Point of Dispensing (POD) agreement. Does require the agency to obtain a FLSHOTS account and update the system on vaccines given. Just a note: Several providers have formed agreements with other providers to become the “POD” for the group.

2 – As vaccines become more available, DOH-Hillsborough be setting up a vaccination POD for healthcare workers only. This would be open to any health care worker who can show identification whom they are affiliated with.

Either way, DOH is encouraging all healthcare providers to register with FLSHOTS as a Vaccine for Adult (VFA) or Vaccine for Children (VFC) provider. Although you cannot – at this time – order the COVID vaccine through this system, once it becomes more widely available, then you would be allowed to.

Attachments for Providers:

Provider Information for COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment

COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment Process for Providers

Should you want to enter into an MOU please email us.

This press release was produced by the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. The views expressed are the author's own.