SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County held a free vaccination event on Saturday following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s announcement that booster shots are now permitted for kids age 12 and older.
Appointments for 500 people filled up quickly after the clinic was announced.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
While the county wanted to offer double that amount, it just wasn’t possible because they didn’t have enough nurses to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Unfortunately, we did have a few of the nurses who were planning to come in got sick. Just like anywhere else. Any kind of workforce, people are experiencing sickness,” said Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris.
Read: Sunny and beautiful Saturday, front brings rains and cold temps on Sunday
On Saturday, thanks to some last-minute volunteers, the county was able to get about 100 more people vaccinated than originally anticipated.
“We ended up having about fifteen nurses. We need some to draw the vaccine of course and mix the vaccines, and it takes some special care with some of the young ones,” Harris said.
Read: Central Florida energy companies send crews to help storm victims
Sabrina Ramos-Cotto said she finds today’s turnout encouraging in the fight against the pandemic and hopes with more variants popping up, the momentum continues. “We got the flu shot every year before all of this blew up, and so obviously as it continues to generate and mutate, I anticipate more because that’s what the flu shot does,” Ramos-Cotto said.
Due to high demand and interest, Seminole County is planning to have another pop-up vaccine clinic in the next week or two. Right now, the county is still looking for a location.
Read: Evictions, foreclosures heat up as legal system races to catch up
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.