Ascension St. Vincent’s administers 2,500 COVID-19 vaccines in Clay County

CLay County, FL. — A line of cars extended outside the Clay County Fairgrounds Monday for an Ascension St. Vincent’s COVID-19 vaccination event.

It is appointment only and all slots were booked before the weekend.

Many in line reported relief after struggling to get the vaccine through the county health department.

Ascension St. Vincent’s said this vaccination event was for any Clay County resident 65 years and older and people do not have to be Ascension patients.

Lines started forming before 8 a.m. when the event began, and staff continued vaccinating until 5 p.m.

“Well I’m so excited. I’m just happy to have it and hope everybody can get it,” Judy Smith said while waiting in line.

She tried to get an appointment through the health department’s website.

“It was just hard to get online. It kept crashing and the spots would fill up.”

The Duval County Health Department has vaccinated more than 10,000 people through appointments at the Prime Osborne Center.

The City of Jacksonville has vaccinated nearly 5,000 at the Mandarin and Lane Wiley Senior Centers.

In Clay County, 3800 allotted are all spoken for and appointments are booked through the end of January.

A representative told Action News Jax last Friday that the county expected to receive more doses this week and a portal should open Wednesday at 3 p.m. for people to sign up.

The Ascension St. Vincent’s vaccine event is the first community event event.

In a statement, the hospital group said, “Our healthcare heroes have been fighting against COVID-19 for nearly a year, and we are excited to begin this critical next phase of vaccinations. We continue to collaborate closely with local and state health officials to ensure we’re doing everything we can to get as many people vaccinated as safely and efficiently as possible.”

Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Estrellita Redmon continued to say, “While current vaccine inventory is limited, we know that this is only the beginning. We’re going to keep working hard to offer as many vaccinations as possible to as many people as possible. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated when it is made available to them and to speak with their doctor if they have questions or concerns.”

Before today, Ascension St. Vincent’s has vaccinated about 7,000 frontline healthcare workers and starting this month, it’s also administering doses to patients who are 65 years and older by appointment only.

Cox Media Group