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 begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment only to adults ages 65 and older. The first drive-thru vaccination clinic will be held on January 6, 2021 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville campus.

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 January 1956 or earlier are eligible for a vaccine appointment. Appointments must be made in advance by calling 850-344-0566 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Phone lines may experience delays due to high call volume. Additional open vaccination clinics which do not require appointments may be available in the future based on vaccine availability.

Individuals receiving the vaccine must complete a vaccine screening and consent form to confirm eligibility. The forms can be reviewed and completed in advance via DOH-Okaloosa’s website, www.healthyokaloosa.com. For those that cannot access the forms in advance, a paper copy will be provided at your appointment time.  A valid government-issued ID must also be shown at the vaccination site. This can include a passport, driver’s license or military identification card. 

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 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. A second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is required 28 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. For additional information on the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, please visit https://www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/recipients/.

As vaccination events and details are finalized, DOH - Okaloosa will release more information on the vaccination plan. COVID-19 vaccines from other manufacturers will be available for use at later dates as supplies reach the state.

According to data released by the Food and Drug Administration, the vaccine made by Moderna is 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.

Information about the statewide vaccination distribution plan can be found on the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. Individuals can also sign up to receive updates via text message by texting “FLCOVID19” to the number 888-777. Local updates will be added to DOH-Okaloosa website, www.healthyokaloosa.com.

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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