UPDATE 6 - POSTED FEBRUARY 10, 2021
COVID vaccine availability continues to be a challenge not only in Florida but throughout the entire United States. One of the challenges has been vaccine availability for the 4.4 million seniors who live in Florida. Vaccine availability still remains low, and demand very high. Currently, the department of health of each Florida county, as well as Publix (in many but not all counties) have served as State distribution sites.
In the upcoming days, additional vaccine administration sites will be opening. These will be Federal distribution sites. This is important to note as they will have additional vaccine allocation over and above the state allocation. In addition to seniors, workers at long-term care facilities as well as healthcare personnel employed at medical providers have been designated in Florida to be eligible to receive the vaccine. However, not all places administering the vaccine have made it available to the workers of healthcare facilities, including dentists, nurses, and other office personnel. For them, Publix has been one of the only places for them to receive the vaccine, as long as they provide evidence such as a state license or documentation from the provider for whom they work.
Additionally, there has been limited to no availability for people who have conditions deemed to make them severely compromised, and therefore, also eligible for the vaccine in Florida. County health departments have been the sole resource for these people to receive their vaccines. However this week, Sam’s Club has confirmed that they will be administering vaccines to this vulnerable population as long as they meet the criteria.
We understand that vaccine availability varies by county, notably with regard to who administers the vaccine. As always, your county health department is a relevant local resource on these matters. Please note that some counties, as well as local elected federal officials, are asking residents to sign up regardless of their age if they’re interested in receiving a vaccine.
Vaccine Distribution Sites
Publix
Walmart
Sam's Club Pharmacy and, if not a member at Sam's club you can set up Guest Acct.
Walgreens
Winn-Dixie
We will continue to monitor the rollout in Florida to provide you updates that may assist our residents.UPDATE 5 - POSTED JANUARY 29, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County has announced that it is NOT ready to utilize the statewide covid-19 appointment system announced earlier today by the Department of Health’s state office in Tallahassee. The website
myvaccine.fl.gov is open and available for Palm Beach County residents, but DOH-Palm Beach is advising local residents not to use it.
“We do not want to create another waitlist," says Dr. Alina Alonso, Director of DOH-Palm Beach. “Our primary focus is completing our original chd50feedback emailed waitlist through the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. We prefer that the public wait until we can give them actual appointments."
UPDATE 4 - POSTED JANUARY 21, 2021
Wellington residents have expressed concern and frustration about lengthy wait times and the inability to access appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine. We hear you and share your frustration.
The Health Department continues to coordinate vaccination appointments and locations throughout the state. They are working with the governor's office on this effort. As of this time, there are more than 200,000 seniors in Palm Beach County on a waiting list for the vaccine. The Department of Health in Palm Beach County is only receiving a few thousand doses each week; it could be some time before everyone can have access to the vaccine.
What Wellington is doing
Wellington has pledged its resources and support to the Florida Department of Health in its efforts to vaccinate our community. Know that we are ready, willing, and able to assist in conformance with the priority distribution requirements of the Governor’s Executive Order. Our Emergency Management team is coordinating local efforts and resources to support our point of dispensing plan.
We're Still in PHASE 1 of the Vaccine Distribution
As a reminder, we are in the first phase of vaccine distributions with priority given to people 65 and older, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, and healthcare workers with direct patient contact.
Health Department Email Disabled
Due to the large current waitlist, the Department of Health has deactivated the email address it was using to receive appointment requests. Their goal right now is to focus on scheduling current requests. County leaders tell us that after all these requests have been fulfilled, future appointments will be made available directly through vaccination sites, and details for these registration systems will be provided at a later date.
Other Ways to Request a Vaccination Appointment
Right now, there are a few other options to requests appointments. One is through Publix. They began scheduling appointments through their COVID-19 Vaccine online portal. As with other distribution sites, doses are limited and appointment spots fill quickly.
Palm Beach County hospital systems are receiving vaccines directly from the State of Florida and running their own vaccination programs, primarily to vaccinate front-line personnel. Please visit their websites for specific information.
Wellington’s Emergency Management team is working closely with Palm Beach County and the Health Department to monitor new vaccine sites coming online across the county. We will share updates with you as new information becomes available.
Additional Vaccination sites are open outside of Palm Beach County. You can find a full list of sites on the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website.
We’ve also created a COVID-19 Vaccine information page, where we will include links and other important information.
Again, Vaccination appointments are based on vaccine availability. As Dr. Alina Alonso has stated numerous times, filling all appointment requests will take months, not days or weeks.
Additional updates on local vaccine distribution will be communicated through the Florida Health Department's website, and through local media.
UPDATE 4 - POSTED JANUARY 20, 2021
Due to the large current waitlist, the Department of Health has deactivated the chd50feedback@flhealth.gov email address to focus on scheduling current requests.
What does this mean if you are trying to schedule a vaccination appointment?
You will NOT be able to schedule an appointment through the Health Department right now.
Other Ways to Schedule an Appointment
- Publix: Starting Friday, January 22 after 6:00 AM, eligible customers may access appointment availability beginning Saturday, January 23. LEARN MORE: https://bit.ly/3iuvFaw Vaccination appointments are scheduled online only. Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy.
PLEASE BE PATIENT
Vaccination appointments are based on vaccine availability. As Dr. Alina Alonso has stated, filling all appointment requests will take months, not days or weeks.
Additional updates on local vaccine distribution will be communicated through the Florida Health Department PBC's website: palmbeach.floridahealth.gov, Twitter account @HealthyFLPBC, and local media.
UPDATE 4 - POSTED JANUARY 19, 2021
Starting Wednesday, January 20, eligible residents may begin scheduling vaccine appointments through Publix’s online portal.
Learn more by visiting Publix's COVID-19 Vaccine Information page.
Vaccination appointments are scheduled online only. Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy.
Eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, by appointment only
- healthcare personnel with direct patient contact
- residents and staff of longterm care facilities, and
- adults aged 65 years and older
Find a list of participating Publix Pharmacies.
UPDATE 3 - POSTED JANUARY 16, 2021
List of Vaccine Sites
See a full list of Florida Vaccine sites.
Appointments
Make an appointment by emailing chd50feedback@flhealth.gov (include your name, phone number, and date of birth)
Additional Information
Visit the Florida Health Department's website for the latest information: https://bit.ly/38DpvBR
UPDATE 2 - POSTED JANUARY 13, 2021
Dr. Alina Alonso, with the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, shared the latest COVID-19 Vaccine Update during Wellington's Council Meeting on January 12, 2021.
What You Need To Know
- Vaccine distribution will take effect in a phased approach.
- PHASE 1: Vaccines are available (appointment required) through the Florida Department of Health for long-term care facility staff, persons 65 years of age and older, and healthcare personnel with direct patient contact.
Appointments
Make an appointment by emailing chd50feedback@flhealth.gov (include your name, phone number, and date of birth)
Addressing Your Frustrations
Many residents have expressed concern and frustration about lengthy wait times and the inability to access appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine. The Health Department is coordinating vaccination appointments and locations through the state. They are working closely with the governor's office on this effort. As Doctor Alonso explains, with 100,000 seniors in Palm Beach County on a waiting list for the vaccine and only 4,000 additional doses received this week, it could be some time before everyone can have access to the vaccine. Wellington has pledged its resources and support to the Florida Department of Health in its efforts to vaccinate our community. We will be ready, willing, and able to assist in conformance with the priority distribution requirements of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-315.
Vaccine Sites
We continue to work closely with Palm Beach County and Health Department officials to monitor vaccine sites across the county. We will share updates with you as new information becomes available. Right now, the best way for you to get on the waiting list (if you are eligible based on the requirements mentioned above) is to email chd50feedback@flhealth.gov.
Additional Information
Visit the Florida Health Department's website for the latest information: https://bit.ly/38DpvBR
UPDATE 1 - POSTED JANUARY 4, 2021
The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health are overseeing and monitoring three priority vaccination operations.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County's COVID-19 Vaccine local appointment hotline is currently CLOSED, as they work to transition to a new website-based appointment system.
Who Qualifies for the First Phase of Vaccines?
- Long-term care facility residents and staff
- Palm Beach County Residents 65 and older
- Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact
How to Request a Vaccination Appointment
All appointments must be requested via email to chd50feedback@flhealth.gov
Include Contact Information
Please remember to include your name, phone number, and date of birth.
When Can I Expect a Call Back for an Appointment?
All emails are being received and will be contacted in order with further instructions as appointment slots and options become available. Vaccination appointments are based on dosage availability.
No Appointment, No Vaccine
No vaccines will be given without an appointment. Please do not show up at any Florida Department of Health locations for a vaccine, or to request an appointment. This should be done by email only at this time.
Updates & Information
Specific details about the COVID-19 Vaccine are subject to change as Palm Beach County continues to work with the Health Department to safely and effectively, make the vaccine available to County residents.
Florida Department of Health
Additional updates on local vaccine distribution will be communicated through the Health Department's website at palmbeach.floridahealth.gov and through their twitter account @HealthyFLPBC.
For any additional questions about the vaccine at this time, the State COVID-19 Call Center can be reached by calling 1-866-779-6121 or emailing COVID-19@flhealth.gov and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit floridahealthcovid19.gov.
Palm Beach County
Get answers to COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently asked questions and check Palm Beach County's COVID-19 Vaccine webpage regularly for the latest updates.
Talk to Your Doctor
Make sure you speak with your primary care provider to answer any questions you have about the vaccine before you receive it.
Receive Texts from Governor DeSantis
For Updates about the vaccine and distribution from Governor Ron DeSantis, text FLCOVID19 to 888777.