SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Update: Orlando Health announced Monday evening that all their COVID-19 vaccine appointments have been taken. Click here for updates on when more doses will be available.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that six Central Florida hospitals will open community COVID-19 vaccination sites.
The sites will be opened at the following hospitals:
READ: Here’s where to find the COVID-19 vaccine in your county
• Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital
• Orlando Health Dr. Phillips
• Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies
• Health Central Hospital
• Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
• Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital
• Bayfront Health St. Petersburg
The governor said the community vaccination sites will make the vaccine more available to health care workers and people over 65.
Health care workers will be able to make an appointment at the Orlando Health hospitals. Click here to make an appointment.
The governor made four additional announcements during his new conference. Scroll down to watch the full news conference.
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He said his administration is identifying state-run testing sites that can be converted into vaccination sites. They are also going to identify places of worship that will be able to distribute the vaccine.
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DeSantis said the Division of Emergency Management will add 1,000 additional nurses to help shorthanded staff administer the COVID-19 vaccine across the state.
He also announced that the state will continue to focus on administering the vaccine in long-term care facilities.
DeSantis said all state-run vaccination sites will be open seven days a week.
The governor said his administration launched a pilot program this week to reach and administer the vaccine to underserved populations across Florida by working with community centers and churches.
He tweeted that the Brownsville Community Center is the first site and he expects to expand the program in the coming weeks.