Pinellas has new shipment of coronavirus vaccines; registration begins Saturday

COVID-19 vaccine — Coronavirus vaccinations at St Johns Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. By Hillsborough County Department of Health, 2021.

Here is a link to many coronavirus resources

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County announced Friday that it has gotten a new shipment of coronavirus vaccines. Registration for new appointments begins Saturday morning. You can register at the state’s vaccine portal, or call (844) 770-8548.

The full press release is below:

Pinellas receives new shipment of COVID vaccines for 65+ residents

Registration opens Saturday; appointments will fill quickly

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, for additional COVID-19 vaccination appointments

State Health Department and County partnering to distribute an additional 8,000 vaccines

Proof of Florida residency required per State announcement this week

Registration for COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone 65 and older re-opens at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, following a new shipment of 8,000 doses from the State of Florida. Appointments start early next week and are expected to fill quickly.

Appointments are mandatory to get the first of two vaccine injections and can be scheduled online through the CDR HealthPro portal starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 23 at https://www.patientportalfl.com/s/. Residents accessing the portal prior to 10 a.m. on Saturday will be able to create an account, but will not be able to book their appointment until the set time of 10 a.m. No appointments will be booked prior to Saturday at 10 a.m.

Pinellas County Fire paramedic crews will operate the four public vaccination sites for seniors over 65 in coordination with the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County.

To get a vaccine appointment, residents must first create an account and then select an available time. Creating an account does not guarantee availability for this round of appointments. There will be no vaccines for residents without appointments, and there is no waiting list.

New requirement announced by the State of Florida: Patients must show proof of Florida residency to receive a vaccine. Examples include: a valid Florida Drivers License, state-issued ID, deed, or utility bill with the patient’s name and address. Part-time residents will be asked to provide a part-time rental agreement.

Those without internet access or who need assistance with the portal can call (844) 770-8548. The call center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can provide guidance in English and Spanish. Any resident with the ability to access the internet is strongly encouraged to use the online portal, as phone wait times can be lengthy.

Notifications of new vaccine appointment openings in Pinellas will not be available through sign-ups on the patient portal. Residents are asked to check the website https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/vaccines/, Facebook and Twitter for regular updates and future vaccine availability.

Appointments will be scheduled at sites in various parts of the county.
Details about access to the vaccine distribution sites will be given to residents upon appointment confirmation. Appointments for the required second dose can be made at the time of scheduling.

Family members must sign up and register individually for appointments.

Those arriving ahead of schedule may be turned away and instructed to return at their scheduled time. For more information about vaccines and what to expect at your appointment, visit https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/vaccines/.

Meanwhile, Pinellas County extended its state of local emergency:

Pinellas County has extended its State of Local Emergency for COVID-19 through Jan. 29. The extension was issued by County Administrator Barry A. Burton by delegated authority from the Board of County Commissioners.

The extension keeps in effect a County ordinance requiring face coverings within public places and restaurants and bars to serve only patrons who are seated. Public health officials continue to closely monitor the 7-day rolling averages for new COVID-19 cases, percentage of positive tests, hospitalizations and hospital bed capacity.

For comprehensive information about COVID-19 in Pinellas County, including testing locations and vaccination information, visit https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/.

And in Pasco County …

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County
(DOH-Pasco) will be holding three COVID-19 vaccination clinics the week of Jan. 25, 2021 at St. Leo University.

Appointments will open for registration on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2:00 p.m. An appointment is mandatory to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

Anyone 65 and older who needs the COVID-19 vaccination must go to patientportalfl.com or call 1-844-770-8548 and create an account with CDR Maguire: Health & Medical (CDR Maguire). It is required to have an account with CDR Maguire to register for a vaccination appointment.

Those who have already created an account with CDR Maguire will receive an alert that appointments are open and will need to log into the patient portal to register for an appointment.

There will be 700 appointments available each day on Monday, Jan 25, Wednesday Jan. 27 and Friday, Jan. 29 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Saint Leo University, 33701 St. Rd 52 St Leo, FL 33574.

Appointments to receive the 1st dose of the vaccination will NOT be held at the Sears location at Gulfview Square Mall the week of Jan. 25th. ONLY 2nd dose appointments will be at the Sears location on Tuesday and Thursday. If you are requiring your 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be receiving an email from: CDRM Health No-Reply: no-reply@cdrmhealth.com, NOT from the Pasco County Health Department.

It is required to have a photo I.D. when checking in for vaccination appointments. If the online patient portal was used to register for an appointment (instead of calling), those people should bring a printed or digital copy of the confirmation email they received containing a QR code (please refer to the pictures below).

Reminders:
In order to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Pasco residency is not required but Florida residency is. (see information below on Florida Residency)
Staff at the Pasco County Health Department cannot schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
There are no vaccines available without appointments.
At this time the Pasco County Health Department does NOT have a waiting list.
Every person needs their own appointment.
Create your account at patientportalfl.com
Show up on time for your appointment – PLEASE do not arrive early.
Emails that are sent will be sent from: “CDRM Health No-Reply:
no-reply@cdrmhealth.com” NOT from the Pasco County Health Department.
Verify you have a VACCINE appointment. The appointment confirmation will have a QR code (picture on the left) NOT a barcode (picture on the right).

Do I need to be a resident of Florida to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees issued a Public Health Advisory on January 21, 2021, prioritizing vaccines for residents of the State of Florida or individuals in Florida for the purpose of providing health care services involving direct contact with patients: bit.ly/397vhf3.
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 seasonal 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.
For additional information on DOH-Pasco’s vaccination operations, please visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov.

DOH-Pasco requests, before contacting the health department directly, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution webpage and for frequently asked questions, visit our COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs webpage.