Gateway Mall vaccination site to start administering only Johnson & Johnson and 2nd dose COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The federally supported Gateway Mall vaccination site will no longer be giving out first doses of the Pfizer vaccine, only the Johnson and Johnson vaccine starting Tuesday.

But don’t worry, if you got your first Pfizer dose at Gateway, you can come back for your second.

Fist bumps, pictures, and excitement surrounded the vaccination site Monday as those 16 and up finally got the chance to get vaccinated.

Cooper Lindsey, a senior at Episcopal School says, “It took awhile, but it finally happened, so I’m excited for that.”

The 18-year-old got his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine Monday and says his friends did too.

“My parents already have theirs, my grandparents have theirs, so I was like, might as well get mine since I can.”

Athena Chialtas, a 17-year-old at Douglas Anderson School for the Arts, was able to get her first shot as well.

“I went in, I just explained, ‘hey I would like to get a shot’ and they were like ‘okay come on in. We just need your dad present.’”

Her dad says it was a no brainer.

“Just keeping our friends and family safe was the most important thing for us,” said Speed Chiatlas, Athena’s father.

He signed the waiver and she was good to go.

“It was really quick and my arm doesn’t feel sore at all,” Athena said.

Her dad exclaimed, “It’s kind of that proud papa moment for me, like she’s growing up. She understands that this is important and she’s doing the right thing.”

Since Gateway will no longer be giving out first doses of it starting Tuesday, the best places to go in Jacksonville if you are 16 or 17-years-old will be either Regency Mall, Edward Waters College or your local pharmacy.

And don’t forget, a parent or guardian needs to present.

Cox Media Group