Duval County

COVID-19 vaccination sites closed to new patients at Lane Wiley & Mandarin senior centers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE: The City of Jacksonville has distributed the COVID-19 vaccines allotted to them, Mayor Lenny Curry announced Friday morning.

The Mandarin and Lane Wiley senior centers are now closed to new patients in need of the first dose. Anyone who has received the first dose of the vaccine at either of these two centers should return to the same location, 21 days later, to receive the second dose.

Curry said the state is facilitating all COVID-19 vaccine distribution at the Regency Mall location. To make an appointment at Regency, call 866-200-3762.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Earlier today, Mayor Lenny Curry announced that due to minimal lines at both the Lane Wiley and Mandarin Senior Centers, both sites would offer the vaccine to those 65 and older without a specific birth month required.

Even before then, people knew the days at these sites were dwindling and they wanted to make sure they got their vaccine.

“Waiting for this since it started,” William Green said.

With the city-run vaccination sites set to close tomorrow evening, Green came out to the Mandarin Senior Center to get his first dose.

“I see what’s going on all around the state and the country and I’m just lucky to get mine,” Green said.

Per usual, lines stretched quite the distance. Whether the wait was 45 minutes or two hours, Catherine Carraway was happy to finally get the vaccine before she had to start from square one again.

“It’s probably been three or four weeks, but I’m glad I got this one before they closed,” she said.

The mayor announced that as well as today, there will be no birth month required for the vaccine tomorrow. In the past, Action News Jax has seen people line up as early as 5 a.m. to secure their spot in line.

Today, we asked the city what will be done to keep order at the sites. They said in a statement,

“We will continue to hand out vouchers for our allotted, daily supply and allow people to return throughout that same day for their vaccine. They must be in line by 6pm. Once we have handed out the vouchers for today’s available supply, we will turn people away and ask them to return tomorrow.”

Despite the constant confusion and lack of success, some people say getting it as soon as possible was top priority.

“I really feel relieved now that I had it,” Carraway said. “At my age it’s so important.”

The Mandarin Senior Center will close at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry tweeted Thursday night that the COVID-19 vaccines that were allotted to the city of Jacksonville have been distributed.

A reminder for anyone who received their first dose at a city-run site, you will still be able to get your second dose; just return to the same site on the date you were told.