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FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN OKALOOSA COUNTY ANNOUNCES DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR OLDER ADULTS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS FOR MARCH 1-6

February 19, 2021

 

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) is partnering with Okaloosa County Emergency Medical Services and local fire departments to offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment only to adults ages 65 and older and non-hospital health care workers with direct patient contact. Priority will be given to Florida residents or an individual present in Florida for the purpose of providing health care services involving direct contact with patients.

There are 2,730 first dose appointments available between March 1-6, 2021. As we transition to using the pre-registration system (www.myvaccine.fl.gov), DOH-Okaloosa will attempt to fill half of these appointments using the pre-registration list. The remaining will be filled using Eventbrite online or by phone at 850-344-0566.

We strongly encourage persons currently eligible for the vaccine, who had not already done so, to pre-register for the vaccine at www.myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-200-3599 or TTY 833-990-3450.

DOH-Okaloosa will serve people in the order that they registered. DOH-Okaloosa is following Executive Order 20-315 and can only vaccinate persons 65 years and older and health care workers with direct patient contact, including long-term care and home health workers. DOH-Okaloosa is not authorized to vaccinate persons who are younger than 65 years who are deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Only hospitals can provide vaccination for this group.

Monday, March 1 (1,050 appointments)
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center
1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL
 
Wednesday, March 3 (1,050 appointments)
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Crestview Community Center
1446 Commerce Dr.
Crestview, FL
 
Saturday, March 6 (630 appointments) – RESERVED for Health Care Workers
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
DOH-Okaloosa Fort Walton Beach
221 Hospital Dr. NE
Fort Walton Beach, FL

For appointments not filled through the pre-registration system, registration will open at noon central time on Tuesday, Feb.23 both online and for scheduling over the phone. Appointments cannot be made through email or by walk-in at the health department.

Appointments must be made in advance. To make an appointment visit myokaloosa.com/bcc/covid-19/vaccine to register online via Eventbrite or by calling 850-344-0566. Google Chrome is the recommended browser for using Eventbrite. You should make sure your web browser is up to date. An overloaded web browser could prevent your registration from going through. Clear your browser's cache and cookies.

We encourage people to register online. Tickets are also available by phone until sold out. Please note callers may experience delays, dropped calls and busy signals due to high call volume. But when Eventbrite is sold out, please call 850-344-0566. Eventbrite appointments usually fill up before the telephone appointments.

Appointments are required for this vaccination clinic and will not be scheduled on site. Do not arrive at the vaccination site without an appointment. Anyone born in March 1956 or earlier and non-hospital health care workers with direct patient contact are eligible for a vaccine appointment. For the definition of what classifies as a health care worker with direct patient contact, visit our COVID-19 vaccine page. IDs will be verified at the vaccination event and if anyone scheduled does not meet these criteria, their appointment will be canceled.

On January 21, State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees signed a Public Health Advisory prioritizing Florida residents for COVID-19 vaccinations given in Florida. Recipients of the vaccine must be able to demonstrate residency consistent with criteria set forth in § 381.986(5)(b), Fla. Stat.; or an individual present in Florida for the purpose of providing health care services involving direct contact with patients.

Florida residents will need to show their Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card. Health care workers with direct patient contact will need to provide proof of employment in Florida. This includes a work badge or identification card, W-2 form or a pay stub.

Seasonal resident means any person who temporarily resides in this state for a period of at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year, maintains a temporary residence in this state, returns to the state or jurisdiction of his or her residence at least one time during each calendar year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction. An adult seasonal resident may provide the department with a copy of two of the following that show proof of residential address:

  1. A deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental or lease agreement.
  2. One proof of residential address from the seasonal resident’s parent, step-parent, legal guardian or other person with whom the seasonal resident resides and a statement from the person with whom the seasonal resident resides stating that the seasonal resident does reside with him or her.
  3. A utility hookup or work order dated within 60 days before registration of the date of vaccination.
  4. A utility bill, not more than 2 months old.
  5. Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings, or investment account statements, not more than 2 months old.
  6. Mail from a federal, state, county, or municipal government agency, not more than 2 months old.
  7. Any other documentation that provides proof of Florida residential address that is not more than 2 months old.

Individuals receiving the vaccine must complete a vaccine screening and consent form to confirm eligibility. This is available on our website. For those that cannot access the forms in advance, a paper copy will be provided at your appointment time. 

All individuals being vaccinated must show a valid government-issued ID. This can include a passport, driver’s license or military identification card. People will also need to bring their registration confirmation number.

Appointments are non-transferable. If you need to cancel an appointment, you can call 850-344-0566 or if you registered online you can cancel using Eventbrite. Each person receiving the vaccine must sign up for an individual appointment ticket. Due to high demand, tickets online may be "sold" before your sale is complete.  Completed orders display an order number and you will receive a confirmation email. 

Once you’ve secured your appointment time, please arrive on-time. Individuals arriving early can cause delays and longer lines.

Please be careful not to be fooled by a fake Eventbrite account. Always use the link provided by DOH-Okaloosa and Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners. Registration is free. DOH-Okaloosa will not ask for credit card information or your social security number.

We will issue an update once vaccination slots have been filled. As vaccination events and details are finalized, DOH - Okaloosa will release more information on vaccination events.

The appointment only vaccination clinic will be drive-thru only, and all individuals will remain in their vehicle for the duration of the clinic. Individuals receiving the vaccine are asked to wear short-sleeve shirts and remove any jackets/coats when arriving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises individuals to be monitored for at least 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine. Individuals will be directed to a waiting area to park and should plan accordingly.  

The vaccination provided will be the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. A second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine is required 21 days after the first dose. This dose will be scheduled at the first dose appointment. This vaccine was authorized for emergency use by the United States Food and Drug Administration under an Emergency Use Authorization.

According to data released by the Food and Drug Administration, the vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer- BioNTech are highly protective for adults and prevents severe cases of COVID-19.  The COVID-19 vaccine is a monumental step toward getting this disease under control in Florida, but the department is still encouraging residents and visitors to take precautions to protect themselves and others from the spread of the virus. These include frequent hand washing, wearing face masks, maintaining six feet of social distancing, and staying home if you are feeling sick.

Updates will be added to DOH-Okaloosa website, www.HealthyOkaloosa.com. Information about the statewide vaccination distribution plan can be found on the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage

More information on COVID-19

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For information and advisories from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website, this website is also available in Spanish and Creole. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the travel advisory website.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov .

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