‘We are on the offense’: Orange County Convention Center begins distributing COVID-19 vaccine by appointment only

ORLANDO, Fla. — The COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed at the Orange County Convention Center, beginning Tuesday, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Monday afternoon during a news conference.

He said the testing will be available by appointment only to those 65 or older.

Demings said the vaccination site will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

READ: These Central Florida counties are distributing COVID-19 vaccinations for residents 65 and older; here’s how to make an appointment

The site will be closed New Year’s Day and will reopen Jan. 4.

The health department closed the portal, meaning there are no more appointments available.

Demings said the goal is to vaccinate 1,500 people per day.

He and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer received Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine during the news conference.

“For so long we’ve been on the defense since March, now we are on the offense. We have a vaccine,” said Kent Donahue with the Orange County Health Department.

READ: Appointments book up fast as COVID-19 vaccination site debuts at Oviedo Mall

Click here to register for the vaccine, or download the OCFL Alert app or text OCFLCOVID to 888777 to receive testing updates by phone.

You can also download the free WFTV news app to receive updates about vaccine distribution in Orange County and other local counties.

The Convention Center will continue to offer coronavirus testing through January.

READ: Osceola County opens registration for COVID-19 vaccinations

In Seminole County, a coronavirus vaccination site opened at Oviedo Mall for those aged 65 or older. Click here to read more about that.

In Osceola County, registration for the vaccine began Monday. Read more about that here.

READ: Second stimulus check: With bill signed, who gets $600 checks; could it be more?

Watch full coverage on local vaccine distribution live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

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