Alabama and Florida residents to get vaccine beginning todayAlabama and Florida residents to get vaccine beginning today
Representatives from Community Health Northwest Florida informed Century Town Council members Tuesday night that residents age 65 and older who live in Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida have the chance to receive a free COVID-19 vaccination between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. this Thursday, Jan. 21, by calling their adult facility, located at 6021 Industrial Boulevard in Century, at 850-724-4064.
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is distributing the free shots through county health departments based on its percentage of over-65 population.
Community Health Northwest Florida's CEO Chandra Smiley told the council that 200 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be available for those 65 and older at Thursday's clinic.
Those who schedule an appointment to receive the shot need to bring their identification and proof of insurance, if they are insured. Allen said those who are not insured will just need their identification.
“What we are wanting is to get people who would like to receive the vaccination to call us and give us a phone number so we can get an appointment and call them back to come for the shot,” said Smiley. “We want to avoid these long lines of elderly people waiting for long hours only to have the vaccine run out.”
She said they will hold another clinic in 28 days to give those same people their second shot.
Dr. Paula Kennedy, adult primary care provider, spoke to the council about the virus extensively and the importance of getting the vaccination.
“The main problem with COVID-19 is that it's a novel virus,” said Kennedy. “Up until now we've not had to deal with it. Because of that, we've had to take such drastic measures because no one was immune when it first started.”
Kennedy explained that many people get symptoms that are different or mistaken for other ailments, or none at all, and that it can be anyone, and that makes it scary. She said masks, sanitizing and six-foot distancing were in place because so little was known about it and how to prevent it.
Another representative said anyone who has tested positive for COVID or had the shingles or any other vaccine in the last 14 days, they cannot administer the vaccine.
A FDOH staff member will contact those persons who completed the online form before the Jan. 15 temporary closure of the online interest form.
For more information, visit EscambiaHealth.com or follow on Twitter at @HealthyEscambia for vaccine updates and new information.
Smiley mentioned the Community Health Northwest Florida dental clinic on Church Street was closed temporarily due to COVID last spring, but there are plans in the next few months to get dental services for adults and pediatrics opened back up in Century.
