Seminole County asked to return 3,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — It was a surprise shipment.

“We were very excited to receive 3,000 doses of (the) Johnson & Johnson (vaccine),” Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said.

The team quickly unboxed them and put them straight into storage, but the state said not to get to work right away.

“We were told, ‘At this time, you cannot use it,’” Harris said.

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He was later told that Seminole County has to return all the vials of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine they received.

“It was heartbreaking, but we understand it probably is going to go to a program of great need somewhere else,” Harris said.

Harris said he didn’t know where those vials are being relocated to.

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However, this shows that Florida is finally seeing some sort of flow from Johnson & Johnson.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state is expected to get 175,000 doses.

So where in Central Florida are those vials?

READ: Orlando FEMA COVID-19 vaccination site exhausts supply nearly 3 hours early

Volusia County got 3,600 Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Officials said the state asked them to use those vaccines for firefighters, law enforcement and school employees ages 50 and up in closed-POD events.

Osceola County said it hasn’t gotten any Johnson & Johnson shots, but they have made plans to have a separate site just for its distribution.

Orange County said they haven’t received any word on when they’ll get the doses.

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Seminole County doesn’t know when it will receive doses they can use.

Cox Media Group