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 50 and older, health care workers with direct patient contact and persons 16 and older (Pfizer-BioNTech) or 18 years of age and older (Johnson & Johnson) deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by a physician with the COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability formor on a form with equivalent information. 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.

DOH-Okaloosa will attempt to fill these appointments using the pre-registration list (myvaccine.fl.gov). Any appointments not filled will be posted on Eventbrite online or can be accessed by calling at 850-344-0566.

We strongly encourage persons, who had not already done so, to pre-register for the vaccine at myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-200-3599 or TTY 833-990- 3450. Everyone is now eligible to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine.

DOH-Okaloosa will serve people in the order that they registered. DOH-Okaloosa is following Executive Order 21-67 and can only vaccinate persons 50 and older (born March 1971 for March dates and April 1971 for April 2 clinic or earlier), health care workers with direct patient contact and persons 16 and older (Pfizer-BioNTech) or 18 years of age and older (Johnson & Johnson)deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by a physician with the COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability formor on a form with equivalent information. The DOH COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability form or a form with equivalent information from physician’s office must include the physician’s license number.

For appointments not filled through the pre-registration system, registration will open at noon central time on Tuesday, March 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. IDs will be verified at the vaccination event and if anyone scheduled does not meet these criteria, their appointment will be canceled.

For the definition of what classifies as a health care worker with direct patient contact, visit our COVID-19 vaccine page.

The vaccination provided on March 29 and March 31 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.

The vaccination provided on April 2 will be the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires one dose.

Medical experts and doctors have developed a safe and effective vaccine. These vaccines have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration based on clinical testing. The COVID-19 vaccine is a monumental step toward getting back to the moments we have all missed – visiting and sharing time with family and friends.

Individuals receiving the vaccine must complete a vaccine screening and consent form. 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.  A screening and consent form is required for each dose of the vaccine.

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.  

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. Persons who are deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 must present the COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability formor form with equivalent information on clinic letterhead. The DOH COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability form or a form with equivalent information from physician’s office must include the physician’s license number.

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.

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. 

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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