DOH Leon Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Progress Report 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2021

DOH-LEON RELEASES COVID-19 VACCINE PROGRESS REPORT

Tallahassee, FL --- The Department of Health in Leon County (DOH Leon) in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, The Florida Division of Emergency Management, and community partners continues to make progress to administer COVID-19 vaccines as effectively and efficiently as we possibly can.

The information below contains some of the latest COVID-19 vaccine updates as of February 3, 2021:

DOH Leon Vaccination Clinic Details as of Wednesday, February 3

We have successfully administered 11,117 doses through our health department to date.

We have had 12 DOH Leon sponsored vaccination clinics.

We now have fewer than 5,000 people remaining on our COVID-19 vaccine request waiting list.

Appointments are mandatory and a photo identification card is required.

Our actions are in response to the Governor’s  executive order making it clear that the state of Florida is prioritizing seniors 65 and older, in addition to front line health care workers and residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities.

The DOH Leon vaccine team will be supplied with 3,510 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week. They will be used to vaccinate 1,170 individuals with a first dose, and 2,340 doses will be transferred to community partners.

DOH Leon vaccination clinics operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clinics are by appointment only and may require changes based on vaccine supply and inclement weather. Vaccination clinics are held at:

            DOH Leon Administration Building

            2965 Municipal Way

            Tallahassee, FL  32304

Since the COVID-19 vaccine rollout began in late December Leon County has received 35,945 doses. Leon County has received some 19,110 doses of Pfizer, and 11,000 doses of Moderna. Some 19,594 doses have been reallocated to our healthcare partners to vaccinate healthcare workers, their population of people 65 and over, and some people under 65 who are considered “extremely vulnerable” if infected with COVID-19.

Progress reports continue coming in on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Leon County. Collectively, Leon County healthcare partners, Florida State University, Florida A & M University and DOH Leon have administered doses to more than 57 percent of the senior population, 65 years and over in Leon County, based on 2019 census estimates.

DOH Leon participates in the state’s vaccine pre-registration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. The new system which can be accessed by visiting https://myvaccine.fl.gov/ allows individuals to pre-register for vaccine appointments. The system will notify individuals who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when appointments are available in their area. Those without internet access in Leon County or who prefer to speak directly with an agent can call 866-200-3856.  For those requiring TTY access, the phone number is 833-476-1455.  Additionally, there is now a helpline for Leon County residents with questions about the new appointment system: Call 833-540-2054. Phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Community partners offer to transport seniors to COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Leon County, through agency partners part of the Big Bend Community Organizations Active in Disaster (Big Bend COAD), will help coordinate transportation for seniors to reach COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Any Leon County senior unable to secure transportation should contact VolunteerLEON at (850) 606-1970 to receive a referral to a faith-based organization for a volunteer driver. Anyone seeking assistance should have already tried to secure transportation through family and friends and must have a vaccination appointment scheduled at an upcoming clinic.

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare continues its series “State of COVID-19- A Community Update” at noon this Friday, February 5. This virtual event collectively will bring together local community health professionals for an open conversation about the COVID-19 vaccine. Experts will look at trends, discuss the impacts in Leon County, and respond to questions submitted by viewers. DOH Leon Health Officer Claudia Blackburn will be among the speakers. To register and submit questions visit: https://www.tmh.org/calendar/tmh-events/covid19-community

DOH Leon continues its robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the community.  The COVID-19 UK variant has been identified in Leon County. As of February 2, two cases have been confirmed. DOH Leon epidemiologists are closely monitoring. Case investigators found that the two cases with the UK variant both involve men ages 63 and 31, who had not traveled outside the country. To protect their privacy no further information will be released.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is no conclusive evidence the variant makes people sicker than the original strain, but they are concerned because it spreads more quickly, is significantly more contagious, and vaccines may be less effective against it. Both Pfizer and Moderna say their current vaccines appear to work against this variant. Rigorous and increased compliance with public health mitigation strategies, such as vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine, is essential to limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and protect public health.

The Florida Department of Health issues a COVID-19 vaccine report that is updated daily.  This report includes information on the COVID-19 vaccine by county, race, sex, and age. The site also includes all available resources that we have on the state vaccination plan. Find the COVID-19 vaccine report here: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

 For any additional questions about the vaccine at this time, the State COVID-19 Call Center can be reached by calling 1-866-779-6121 or emailing COVID-19@flhealth.gov  and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Department of Health is offering phone text alerts for vaccination distribution updates.  Residents can sign up for updates about vaccine availability by texting FLCOVID19 to 888777. 

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Media Contact:

Pamela Saulsby | Public Information Officer

850-518-5015