COVID-19 vaccinations expand to extremely vulnerable patients today, seniors 60 and above on March 15
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (March 12, 2021) – During a week in which local vaccination totals surpassed 65,000, local Health Department and Public Safety officials have announced major updates to expand COVID-19 vaccine availability and enrollment in Manatee County.
Starting Monday, the Department of Health in Manatee County will begin scheduling anyone under 65 who suffers from a medical condition that makes them extremely vulnerable to the virus. On Monday morning, March 15, the Public Safety Department will expand vaccination registration eligibility for seniors ages 60 and older using a new registration website.
Vaccines for extremely vulnerable patients
Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) has now begun vaccinating patients with special medical conditions of all ages. Those who have cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down Syndrome, heart conditions and more must first have their physician sign off on the COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability form bearing the DOH logo. A complete list of the eligible medical conditions can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
After those patients have the form signed by their physician, can book an appointment at local pharmacies providing the COVID-19 vaccine or by calling the Health Department at (941) 242-6646. Appointments for patients with special medical conditions will be booked from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at DOH-Manatee, located at 410 Sixth Avenue East in Bradenton.
On the day of vaccination, the individual should bring the signed copy of the form, a completed copy of the vaccination consent form (in English, Español or Kreyòl Ayisye) and documentation showing proof of Florida full-time or part-time residency (driver’s license, utility bill with name and Florida address on it, etc.).
Once the first dose is given, the individual will be scheduled for the second dose and reminded to continue to practice COVID-19 prevention measures, including wearing face coverings in public, social distancing, washing hands routinely and wiping down high-touch surfaces often.
Online registration for seniors ages 60 and above
On Monday morning, March 15, anyone ages 60 and older will be able to enroll in the County’s new online registration system. That age group will be the first to use the Everbridge enrollment and notification system. Enrolling is free and easy at vax.mymanatee.org
Manatee County will continue to prioritize ages 65 and older, but as the pool of 65 and older becomes thinner, those in the 60-older categories will be randomly selected for an appointment. The standby pool is not for patients with special medical needs. Those patients should follow the process explained above.
The call will come from a number familiar to those already in the County’s standby pool: (941) 742-4300. (Those who enroll for text notifications will receive updates from 88911.) Anyone enrolling in the County’s standby pool should program that number in their phones, so the call does not appear as Spam. NOTE: It is important to reply to the call or text as quickly as possible since appointments will go to those who respond promptly.
Seniors ages 65 and older who are already in the County’s vaccination standby pool do not need to enroll on the new site.
10,200 first-dose appointments being scheduled for next week
Manatee County Public Safety Department has already begun scheduling 10,200 first-dose appointments for next week: 5,200 at Tom Bennett Park and 5,000 at the Public Safety Center. Public Safety and the DOH will also administer 5,100 second doses at Tom Bennett Park next week.
Through yesterday, 75,735 — nearly one in five — Manatee County residents have been vaccinated and 64,724 vaccinations have been administered at Manatee County points of distribution.