After rocky start, St. Johns County offers to help health department distribute vaccines

ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida – The race for a COVID-19 vaccine is causing a stir in St. Johns County.

A long line of cars was backed up near the St. Johns County Health Department on Thursday as many waited hours to get vaccinated.

After the problems, the St. Johns County Board of Commissioners sent a letter to the department director, Dawn Allicock, following several meetings.

“Since the Department of Health started its vaccination program earlier this week, the County Commissioners Council has been inundated with questions, concerns and complaints about a lack of public information and program management.” , indicates in part the letter, obtained by News4Jax. . “As such, the County of St. Johns once again requests that the St. Johns County Department of Health reconsider and accept our offer to partner.”

Chairman of the Council of Commissioners Jeremiah Blocker wrote that the commissioners wanted to see vaccine distribution accelerated in the community and “it has become evident to St. Johns County, and the public at large, that the Department of Health County of St. Johns needs additional assistance to complete this critical mass immunization mission. “

The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County on Thursday vaccinated people 65 and older against COVID-19, and the department is administering vaccines again in the morning starting at 9 a.m.

Another crowd of people was in downtown St. Augustine on New Years Eve.

We love it, it’s so pretty every year, ”said Shelby Hancock.

There were a lot of people walking in and out of restaurants and bars Thursday night and looking at the beautiful lights, ready to ring in the New Year.

New Years Eve 2020 in St. Augustine was slightly different this year with social distancing and no fireworks.

“It’s really different, everybody has to wear masks and everything, but you just have to live your life and be safe and everything,” Hancock said.

Sinclair Cerber and his family traveled from Miami.

“We’ve seen a lot of people here without their masks and we’re just continuing to move,” Cerber said. “Stay outside so that we can do our best to stay safe and after here we are going to go back to the hotel and have a quiet night at the hotel and stay safe with family.

Earlier today, a large crowd of people were hoping to start the new year with the COVID-19 vaccine.

“He put my patience to the test. That’s for sure. Two and a half hours in the car too,” said resident Michael Gurski.

To schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccination in St. Johns County, visit stjohns.floridahealth.gov. For more information on local immunization operations, contact the St. Johns County Florida Department of Health at 904-506-6081 or [email protected]. For more information about the state’s immunization plan, contact the Florida Department of Health at 866-779-6121 or [email protected].

At this point, the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County is still in the first phase of vaccine distribution to the public, which includes:

• Health personnel in direct contact with the patient
• Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
• People 65 and over

The county has received 3,000 doses of the vaccine and began giving injections to St. Johns County firefighters on Wednesday.

The county said it will actively provide additional information as more vaccines become available and the State Department of Health’s vaccination plan progresses. Visit the St. Johns County COVID-19 Vaccinations webpage at www.sjcfl.us/coronavirusvaccinations or text SJCVACCINE at 888777 to receive updates.