State Health Dept. In Broward Begins COVID-19 Vaccinations For Those 65 And Older This Weekend
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Broward residents 65 and older can now sign up for a COVID-19 vaccination.
The Florida Department of Health in Broward will begin offering vaccinations this weekend.
The vaccinations will be available at no cost, by appointment only.
Appointments for the drive-thru vaccination sites can be made HERE.
Wednesday afternoon, the department said the website was overwhelmed with demand and was experiencing problems. They added that there were working to fix it as quickly as possible.
"We are sorry that the registration system did not work as we intended and this will be resolved soon. We recognize that our Senior Community is anxious to receive the vaccine. Please know that this is just the beginning of COVID-19 vaccination opportunities. As the local supply of vaccine increases, DOH-Broward along with our partners, are ready to vaccinate individuals ages 65 and older as well as additional priority groups as they are identified." says Dr. Paula Thaqi, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Broward County.
The department said appointments cannot be made by telephone at this time.
The vaccinations in Broward will begin Sunday, January 3rd, at Tradewinds Park, 3600 W Sample Road in Coconut Creek, and Vista View Park, 4001 SW 142nd Avenue in Davie.
They will also be available at Markham Park, 16001 W State Road 84 in Sunrise, beginning Tuesday, January 5th.
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"We are excited about the opportunity to begin vaccinating our senior population, who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, as we continue to work every day to protect our community during this pandemic," says Dr. Thaqi.
Appointments are limited at this time. More appointments will be made available as vaccine supply increases and additional sites open.
Broward Mayor Steve Geller spoke with Dr. Thaqi about the additional sites.
Geller told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "Doctor Thaqi indicated to me they are going to have hopefully by next week or in the next 10 days 10 drive-through PODS located throughout the county to provide the vaccination. The question about whether there will be enough vaccines will have to be answered through the state and federal government."
Individuals who receive a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will need to be in Broward County to receive the second dose of the same vaccine, 21 days later.
RELATED: Broward Health Overwhelmed By Demand For COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade say they plan to finalize their plans by week's end or early next week on vaccinating those 65 and older.
High demand for the vaccine isn't limited to Southeast Florida. In Lee County, all three vaccination sites reached capacity by 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday. People 65 and older started lining up as early as Tuesday night for vaccinations to be given starting at 9 a.m. the following morning.
