ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The portal for anyone over the age of 16 to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine at the Orange County Convention Center site opened Friday morning.
The county said all 9,096 appointments were booked within 45 minutes.
The county has not announced when more appointments will be made available.
Orange County officials said they’re trying to make this a party for high school- and college-aged people, even doing a car decorating contest to try and get people excited about the vaccine.
READ: ‘Breakthrough cases’: Some still getting COVID-19 after being vaccinated
The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has reached capacity for the COVID-19 vaccination appointments at the @OCCC. 9,096 appointments were booked by 9:43 a.m.
— Orange County FL (@OrangeCoFL) April 2, 2021
✅ Stay updated on future appointment openings: https://t.co/Jn3KpoVD73
✅ FAQs: https://t.co/tftQzvlZw7 pic.twitter.com/LKaixke7IB
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said he spoke with federal officials on Thursday, and is expecting a significant increase in the amount of vaccine doses we get by the end of the month.
More than 21% of Orange County’s total population has been vaccinated with at least one dose. More than 43% of the population 40 and older has been vaccinated.
READ: Florida reports largest COVID-19 case increase in nearly a month
Orange County Health Officer Dr. Raul Pino said the process needs to speed up, because we’re seeing a small increase in hospitalizations and an increase in cases among school-age children. And more than 50% of our current COVID-19 cases are ages 15 to 35.
The recovery rate remains at 96%.
>>> Click here to sign up <<<
Cox Media Group
