Citrus County COVID-19 vaccine distribution

After several different phases of COVID-19 vaccine rollout, all adults in Citrus County are now eligible for the vaccine. 

Floridians have any different vaccine options available to them, from federal sites to county- and state-run locations, and many commercial providers. Some locations don’t even require an appointment anymore.

Drive-thru vaccination sites are being provided by the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County. Individuals can now be added to a waiting list for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in Citrus County by visiting myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-201-0442.

The vaccination clinic at the Central Ridge District Park is relocating indoors to 8200 W. Venable St. in Crystal River on Thursday, April 15. The site will transition to a walk-up clinic; however, appointments will still be required.

Moving the vaccination site indoors will address the rising temperatures and safety of staff and residents at the drive-thru site.

The last day individuals can receive their first dose at the park will be on Tuesday, April 13. The last day individuals can receive their second dose at the park will be on Friday, April 23. 

Individuals who are scheduled to receive their second dose after Friday, April 23 will need to go to this new location in Crystal River.

At this time, only the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine will be given at the site. 

DOH-Citrus is also asking residents with scheduled appointments to arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled time. It will result in a longer wait for you and others adhering to their times.

As a reminder, individuals 18 years and older can schedule a vaccine appointment at this new location by visiting myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-201-0442 TTY 833-476-1036.

What you'll need to be vaccinated in Citrus County:

• Employment and/or age verification in the form of government and/or employee ID,
• A printed and complete consent form, which is available at http://citrus.floridahealth.gov/_files/_documents/FINALModernaVaccineScreeningandConsentForm12.20.20.pdf,
• To be able to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after the shot is administered for medical monitoring,
• To be in Citrus County for at least 28 days after your first dose, in order to receive the second dose.

Vaccines will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The vaccine is free.

Individuals should expect a long wait time and plan to remain in their vehicles the entire time.

Only the Moderna vaccine will be given at this time. Prior to receiving the vaccine, individuals will be required to download and complete the Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent. A Moderna Fact Sheet with information on what to expect during and after the injection will also be given before receiving the vaccine.

The Department of Health - Citrus County says individuals are encouraged to contact their primary care provider with questions about whether they should receive the vaccine before coming to the site.

Each person will receive a second dose reminder card that lists the date and the manufacturer for the first vaccination, as well as date the second dose is due. The second dose of the Moderna vaccination should be received 28 days after the initial dose. The second dose must be from the same manufacturer as the first vaccine.

After receiving the vaccination, recipients will be asked to remain on-site for 15 minutes for medical monitoring.

As more vaccines become available, additional dates will be announced. Information regarding availability and future vaccine clinics will be shared with local media outlets, posted online at http://citrus.floridahealth.gov/ or on Twitter at @FLHealthCitrus.

Before you go

To expedite the drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic, DOH-Citrus is asking residents who have appointments to complete the Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent prior to arriving to the site.

Consent forms are available on the DOH-Citrus website at http://citrus.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/infectious-disease-services/COVID19InfoCitrusCounty. 

If individuals with appointments complete the consent form online through the appointment scheduling system, please print a copy and bring it with you to your appointment. If individuals with appointments are unable to complete and print the consent form online through the appointment scheduling system, please complete the Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent and bring it with you to your appointment.

For individuals with appointments who are unable to complete and print the necessary paperwork, consent forms are available at no cost at all Citrus County Library locations:

• CENTRAL RIDGE LIBRARY, 425 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Beverly Hills, FL 34465 Phone: 352-746-6622
• COASTAL REGION LIBRARY, 8619 W. Crystal St., Crystal River, FL 34428    Phone: 352-795-3716
• FLORAL CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 8360 E. Orange Ave., Floral City, FL 34436 Phone: 352-726-3671
• HOMOSASSA PUBLIC LIBRARY, 4100 S. Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa, FL 34446 Phone: 352-628-5626
• LAKES REGION LIBRARY, 1511 Druid Rd., Inverness, FL 34452  Phone: 352-726-2357

DOH-Citrus is also asking resident with scheduled appointments to arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled time. It will result in a longer wait for you and others adhering to their times.

Statewide preregistration system

The state of Florida is offering a statewide registration system to help schedule COVID-19 vaccines. Residents can pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by:

• Internet: Visiting myvaccine.fl.gov
• Phone: Call your local county number listed on this page.

Private retailers offering vaccines in Florida

These businesses are offering COVID-19 vaccines at some of their locations in Florida. They generally follow the guidelines laid out by Gov. DeSantis, but you need to register separately for an appointment with the retailer directly, separate from any state or county registration. Click on a link below for more information.

• Publix
• Walmart & Sam's Club
• Winn-Dixie
• CVS Pharmacy
• Walgreens Pharmacy

Federal vaccine sites

Federal vaccine sites in Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville are open until at least May 26 as part of a partnership with FEMA, the Department of Defense, and state health offices. Click here for specific locations.

According to the governor’s office, each site will administer 2,000 vaccines per day, seven days a week. Each allocation will also support two smaller, mobile satellite sites that will each deliver 500 vaccinations per day in underserved areas. The will use the existing myvaccine.fl.gov registration system.

The FEMA sites follow President Joe Biden's guidelines, meaning teachers, school staff, and daycare workers of all ages are eligible.

LINK: COVID-19 vaccine distribution information in Tampa Bay area counties

COVID-19 Vaccines in Florida:

On December 23, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Executive Order 20-315, which states: During this first phase of vaccine administration, all providers administering any COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

• Long-term care facility residents and staff;
• persons 65 years of age and older;
• and health care personnel with direct patient contact.

Hospitals, however, also may vaccinate persons who they deem to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Governor DeSantis also announced that in addition to hospitals, county health departments will begin vaccinating individuals 65 and older in the coming weeks as supply permits. Each county health department will work directly with their community partners to notify the community when vaccine doses are available and will provide information about what will be needed to register for vaccination.

Florida has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Report that will be updated daily at FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov. This report includes a breakdown of who has received the vaccine by age, race, sex and county.

If you feel sick:

The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions around the clock. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

LINK: Florida's COVID-19 website

CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: What you need to know

AROUND THE WORLD: CoronavirusNOW.com

Citrus CountyCoronavirus VaccineNews