VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Friday marks the last time the COVID-19 vaccination site at the Volusia County Fairgrounds will give out first doses as the shutdown date for the location looms.
Since the site opened earlier this year, 74,000 doses have been administered. The site will cease operations on May 28.
Recommended Videos
“When vaccine efforts started in January, the partnership between the county and Department of Health to provide vaccines at the fairgrounds was a vital step in ensuring our residents had the ability to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Volusia County public protection director Joe Pozzo said. “I’m encouraged that vaccine supply is now meeting demand and that vaccines are available at many locations throughout the county. In discussing with both the state and local Florida Department of Health, we’ve determined it’s the appropriate time to transition efforts from a mass vaccine site to more community-focused operations.”
[TRENDING: Thousands skipping 2nd vaccine dose | This K-9 is stopping child abuse. Here’s how | Florida legislature passes controversial vote-by-mail bill]
Appointments are required.
Shots will still be provided at the Volusia County health department’s four locations:
- 421 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach
- Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach
- Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- 717 W. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach
- Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- 775 Harley Strickland Boulevard, Orange City:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Appointments for those sites can be made by calling 386-274-0500. Residents can also check floridahealthcovid19.gov to find vaccination locations near them.
Moving forward, Volusia County health officials will focus on hosting pop-up events within neighborhoods and communities.
“Continuing to provide COVID-19 vaccines to our residents through both our local offices and community events is an essential service,” Department of Health in Volusia County administrator Patricia Boswell said. “While we’re on the right track with vaccinations, there’s still work to be done for life to return to normal. If you want a vaccine, there is a vaccine for you. If you’re experiencing barriers preventing you from traveling to the health department, call us and our team will work to ensure you receive a COVID-19 vaccine.”
Leaders also recently announced that the COVID-19 testing site in New Smyrna Beach will close on Friday. Free testing will still be available at the health department location on Holsonback Drive on Mondays and Thursdays.
County health officials also want to remind parents to make sure their child is caught up on all their vaccinations.
“We’re always working on school-age immunizations around this time, but I think it’s even more important because we do know that age is going to drop soon for the COVID vaccinations,” Ethan Johnson said, he is with the Volusia County Health Department.
Johnson said there is a time period you have to wait between getting another vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.
He said the length of time depends on the other shot.
“It’s likely that if someone just received TDAP, HPV, or something like that, they’re not going to then be able to get a COVID shot the next day,” Johnson said.
The health department is offering clinics for different vaccines.
“June 7 and June 8 we’re going to be doing no-cost school-aged vaccines at several Volusia County Schools,” Johnson said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted a catch-up immunization schedule for people 18 and younger at this link.