The Florida Department of Health and Lee County government will launch a reservation system and a new, larger site for free COVID-19 vaccinations for frontline healthcare workers and people age 65 and older.
The reservation system will launch Monday and vaccinations will resume Tuesday at a single site east of Interstate 75 off of Daniels Parkway. It’s the site of the old airport terminal parking lot. Message boards will direct traffic to Paul J. Doherty Parkway.
Only people with appointments will be vaccinated. Reservations will be scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. People can begin making reservations starting at noon Monday by calling 833-618-2001. Reservations must be made by phone.
The state has hired a vendor to handle the reservations. Its call center will be open noon to 8 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the remainder of the week until 5,000 appointments are filled.
When those registered arrive on site, officials will request ID showing proof of age before allowing them to queue up. People are asked arrive no more than 45 minutes before their assigned vaccination time. Even though this is an appointment system, processing times may vary. Be prepared for some wait time.
FDOH anticipates administering 1,000 shots Tuesday, and 2,000 shots per day on Wednesday and Thursday. Reservations will resume once more vaccinations arrive.
Complete information can be found at www.leegov.com/vaccine, People can visit Lee County Government Facebook and other social media channels (www.leegov.com/socialmedia) or monitor Florida DOH’s Twitter @flhealthlee.
Those with reservations can expedite the process by coming prepared: visit www.leegov.com/vaccine to read the Moderna vaccination information and to print and complete the consent form.
Social distancing and masks are encouraged; take into account weather conditions. Portable toilets, handwashing stations, drinking water and some chairs will be available. For safety and security, county government and Lee County Sheriff’s Office staff will be on site.
The following will not be permitted: Recreational Vehicles, campers or trailers. Only service animals will be permitted in the vaccination area. This is not a drive-thru site. The site is ADA compliant.
More than 6,140 shots were administered to medical workers and people 65 and older at various sites. (Vaccination sites officially opened Monday, Dec. 28, in Lee County.) This total does not include medical workers vaccinated at separate sites by the Florida Department of Health-Lee.
The United Way 211 line for vaccine questions is staffed 24/7. Dial 211 or 239-433-3900.
Also check out the Lee County website here: https://www.leegov.com/covid-19/vaccine.
