JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax’s Dawn Lopez spoke live with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry Friday morning about the city’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Here are some of the key take-aways:
Where can residents get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Jacksonville?
The only center in Jacksonville at this time to get the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is the state run-site at the Regency Square Mall. For information on how to book an appointment, click here. If the state can get additional and adequate supplies, they have assured Curry that they will give them some of the vaccines so the city can begin to distribute first doses again at Jacksonville’s city-run sites.
What is the process of getting a second dose of the vaccine at city-run sites?
City-run sites, which are the Mandarin and the Lane Wiley senior centers, are offering the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Residents will need to return to the site where they received the first shot to get the second. Curry says you will receive a phone call, text, an email, or all of the above, letting you know that your 21 days are up and it’s time to get the second shot. Beginning on Monday, Feb. 1, residents can return to the vaccination site during the time slot associated with the first letter of their last name. Read more here.
What if I received the first shot at the Prime Osborn. What is being offered at the Prime Osborn location?
The Prime Osborn is a state-run site, and their process is different from the city-run sites. Those who received their first dose of the vaccine at the Prime Osborn will return to that location for the second shot. Check with the Department of Health for more information.
Is there a possibility of making vaccines available at Publix pharmacies in Jacksonville?
We asked Curry about the possibility of getting vaccines available at Publix pharmacies in Jacksonville. Currently 14 Publix pharmacies in St. Johns County are currently offering the vaccine to eligible Florida residents. Curry responded by saying: “So they assured me that when they get additional supply from the federal government and they have exhausted what they can do at Regency Mall, then we’ll have access to additional shots. But I’ve been asked just yesterday about potentially Publix getting the vaccine or any other facility that will be able to distribute. Look, I’m going to be a cheerleader for that. Any way that we can create more access to the citizens of Jacksonville, and get the vaccine to them, I’m going to be supportive of it, regardless of who’s distributing it.”
Will there be vaccines available in the city’s minority communities?
We also asked Curry about getting vaccine help for minority communities. “The city has exhausted their supply. What we have right now are the second shots to give to people who got the first shot. If we get additional supplies that allow us to reopen the centers, Lane Wiley and Mandarin centers, the supplies that will go beyond that, we will absolutely open centers all over the city. We have the ability to do that. We have the manpower. We have the health care workers to give the shots. We have the facilities, so if we can secure those supplies, we’ll be opening more sites, which will give access to more people in the city, which will include the minority communities,” Curry said.
Cox Media Group
