• When are the next vaccination events?
• Who is eligible?
• CDC and FDA Recommendation to Pause Use of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
• Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine for Florida Residents
• What do I need to bring with me?
• How will I get my second dose?
• Vaccine Screening Questions
• Tips for registering online with Eventbrite
• How can I cancel an appointment?
• Can I transfer my appointment to someone else?
• After You're Fully Vaccinated
• COVID-19 Vaccination Scams
• What time should I arrive to my appointment?
• Which vaccine will I receive?
• I want to volunteer to help DOH-Okaloosa with COVID-19 vaccinations
• Who should not get the vaccine?
• I already had COVID-19, should I receive the vaccine?
• Who can administer the vaccine?

1. When are the next vaccination events?

Appointments are unable to made by email or in-person at the health department.

Winn-Dixie Pharmacy in Niceville is now administering the COVID-19 vaccine visit https://www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine to schedule and for more information.

Walgreens in Okaloosa County is administering the COVID-19 vaccine at select locations. To make an appointment visit https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-vaccine.jsp To schedule an appointment by phone, call your local pharmacy or 1-800-WALGREENS  (1-800-925-4733).

2. Who is eligible?

All Floridians are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as prescribed by the FDA. This includes persons 16 years of age and older (Pfizer-BioNTech) or 18 years of age and older (Moderna or Johnson & Johnson). Any individual who is not 18 years of age or older by the day of their vaccination appointment must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to the vaccination clinic. Unaccompanied minors cannot be vaccinated and will be turned away from the vaccination clinic.

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.

IDs will be verified at the vaccination event and if anyone scheduled does not meet any these criteria, their appointment will be canceled.

3. CDC and FDA Recommendation to Pause Use of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

Joint Statement from CDC and FDA:

As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen ) vaccine have been administered in the U.S. CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine. In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. Treatment of this specific type of blood clot is different from the treatment that might typically be administered. Usually, an anticoagulant drug called heparin is used to treat blood clots. In this setting, administration of heparin may be dangerous, and alternative treatments need to be given. 

CDC will convene a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Wednesday to further review these cases and assess their potential significance. FDA will review that analysis as it also investigates these cases. Until that process is complete, we are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution.This is important, in part, to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot. 

Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare. COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and we take all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously. People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System at https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. 

• For individuals receiving Johnson & Johnson vaccine:
  • For people who got the vaccine more than a month ago, the risk to them is very low at this time.
  • For people who recently got the vaccine—within the last few weeks—they should be aware of any symptoms.
    • If you have received the vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath, they should contact their healthcare provider and seek medical treatment.
• There are currently three vaccines available. We are not seeing these events with the other two vaccines.

4. Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine for Florida Residents

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.

To prove residency an adult resident must provide a copy of his or her valid Florida driver license or a copy of a valid Florida identification card.

Seasonal residents may provide a copy of two of the following to 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 season resident’s parent, step-parent or 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.
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.

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.

Out-of-state individuals who do not meet the above eligibility and received their first dose from DOH-Okaloosa will still be able to receive their second dose by DOH-Okaloosa.

5. What do I need to bring with me?

1. Individuals must complete a vaccine screening and consent form to confirm eligibility. Please review the forms below before your vaccination appointment. The forms can be read and printed by clicking the links below. Please print and complete the Screening and Consent Form before your appointment, if possible:

• Consent Form (PDF 128 KB)
• Pfizer- BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet
• Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Fact Sheet
• DOH Privacy Practices (PDF 105 KB)

2. A valid government-issued ID must also be shown at the vaccination site. This can include a passport, drivers license or military identification card. 

3. Proof of Florida residency

4. Registration confirmation number. If you successfully registered online through Evenbrite, you should have received an email with a confirmation number from Eventbrite. You will need to bring this with you to the appointment.

6. How will I get my second dose?

You will receive a reminder card with a date after you receive your vaccine. You will return to the same location on that date at the same time as your first appointment.

7. Vaccine Screening Questions

1. Do you have today or have you had at any time in the last 10 days a fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
2. Have you tested positive for and/or been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection within the last 10 days?
3. Have you had a severe allergic reaction (e.g. needed epinephrine or hospital care) to a previous dose of this vaccine or to any of the ingredients of this vaccine?
4. Have you had any other vaccinations in the last 14 days (e.g. influenza vaccine, etc.)?
5. Have you had any COVID-19 Antibody therapy within the last 90 days (e.g. Regeneron, Bamlanivimab, COVID Convalescent Plasma, etc.)?
6. Do you carry an Epi-pen for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and/or have allergies or reactions to any medications, foods, vaccines or latex?
7. For women, are you pregnant or is there a chance you could become pregnant?
8. For women, are you currently breastfeeding?
9. Are you immunocompromised or on a medication that affects your immune system?
10.Do you have a bleeding disorder or are you on a blood thinner/blood-thinning medication?
11.Have you received a previous dose of any COVID-19 vaccine? If yes, which manufacturer’s vaccine did you receive?

8. Tips for registering online with Eventbrite

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.

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.  Tickets are also available by phone until sold out.

FAQs About Registering for Events with Time Slots on Eventbrite

9. How can I cancel an appointment?

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.

10. Can I transfer my appointment to someone else?

No, appointments are non-transferrable. 

11. After You're Fully Vaccinated

People are considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If it has been less than 2 weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second dose, you are NOT fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps until you are fully vaccinated.

What’s new if you’ve been fully vaccinated (4-2-21):

• You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
• You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people of any age from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks or staying 6 feet apart, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
• You need to pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States.
• • You do NOT need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.
  • You still need to show a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States.
  • You should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel.
  • You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.
• If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
  • However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.

What hasn’t changed, if you’ve been fully vaccinated:

• You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Take these precautions whenever you are:
  • In public
  • Gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household
  • Visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk
• You should still avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
• You should still delay domestic and international travel. If you do travel, you’ll still need to follow CDC requirements and recommendations.
• If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required to get tested within 3 days of their flight (or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip.
• You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
• You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.

12. COVID-19 Vaccination Scams

For tips to protect yourself from COVID-19 vaccination scams, see the latest BusinesSafe. 

Health departments will not ask for payment information or social secuirty numbers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

13. What time should I arrive to my appointment?

You can arrive about 30 minutes before your appointment. By using appointments, wait times will be reduced. Arriving an hour or more early will slow down the lines and cause delays.

14. Which vaccine will I receive?

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. Medical experts and doctors have developed a safe and effective vaccine. This vaccine has 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.

15. I want to volunteer to help DOH-Okaloosa with COVID-19 vaccinations

Persons interested in volunteering with DOH-Okaloosa both medical and non-medical roles, are encouraged to sign up for the Okaloosa-Walton Medical Reserve Corps. The Okaloosa-Walton Medical Reserve Corps (OWMRC) is an organization of medical and non-medical volunteers who contribute their skills and expertise during community emergencies, and when available, during skills-building activities throughout the year. The OWMRC is hosted by the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County, but serves both Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

If intersted in volunteering, please email PreparedOkaloosa@flhealth.gov. 

16. Who should not get the vaccine?

You should not get the vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of the Moderna, Pfizer- BioNTech, or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine, or if you had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of the vaccine. Let your vaccination provider know about any allergies you have.

17. I already had COVID-19, should I receive the vaccine?

People can get the vaccine any time after their infection if they feel well. If a person had a monoclonal antibody or convalescent plasma treatment, they must wait 90 days after either treatment before getting the first or second dose of the vaccine.

18. Who can administer the vaccine?

The list below contains health care professions whose governing practice act or federal guidance authorizes the administration of vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. If you have specific questions regarding a profession, please contact the respective regulatory board office at MedicalQualityAssurance@flhealth.gov.

• Medical Doctors – Section 458.305(3), Florida Statutes
• Osteopathic Physicians – Section 459.003(3), Florida Statutes
• Physician Assistants – Section 459.022(4)(e), Florida Statutes, Section 458.347(4)(e), Florida Statutes
• Registered Nurses – Section 464.003(19), Florida Statutes
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses – Section 464.003(2), Florida Statutes
• Licensed Practical Nurses – Section 464.003(18), Florida Statutes
• Certified Nursing Assistant with Registered Nurse Delegation – Section 464.201(5), Florida Statutes
• Paramedics – Section 401.272(2)(b), Florida Statutes
• Pharmacists – Section 465.189, Florida Statutes
• Registered Pharmacy Interns – Section 465.189, Florida Statutes
• Registered Pharmacy Technicians – Health and Human Services Guidance Memorandum Dated 10/21/2020