Lake City receives 1,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

LAKE CITY, Fla. — Hundreds of people in Columbia County made their way out to the Southside Sports Complex in Lake City to get a COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday.

This week it’s offering those who are eligible either the Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson one dose shot.

Mark Philpot got his COVID-19 vaccine after waiting patiently.

“I figured I need it. I’m above age so you know why not get it,” Philpot said.

QUICK LINKS: How to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in the Jacksonville area

This vaccination site in Columbia County has been open for the last two months. It’s able to vaccinate up to 1,200 people.

This week Lake City got 1,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“This is part of our effort to surge vaccines to areas that are performing a little bit below the state average in terms of senior coverage,” Governor Ron DeSantis said.

The governor also paid a visit to this vaccination site and announced 60% of seniors have already received the COVID-19 vaccine statewide, meaning close to 3 million have been vaccinated.

Starting on Monday seniors 60 and older can start receiving the vaccine.

The governor said with the demand starting to soften the general public could be closer to getting vaccinated sooner.

“We could be in a position where sometime in April, where it’s just available and people can get it and so that’s very exciting,” he said.

The Florida Department of Health in Columbia County said nearly 45% of its seniors have already been vaccinated and it’s working hard to make sure even those without transportation don’t miss out.

“We’re working with Suwannee Valley Transit Authority which provides transportation for multiple counties for the area,” Tom Moffses, Jr., the administrator for Florida Department of Health, for Columbia and Hamilton counties said.

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Philpot and others we spoke with had this message for seniors still unsure about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

“You should get it, definitely should get it,” Cheryl Vavrick said.

“I would say go ahead and get it done,” Mark Philpot said.

The Southside Sports complex in Lake City vaccination site is only open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Lake City also has COVID-19 vaccines available at its Walmart and Publix location.

Lake City receives 1,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Cox Media Group