SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – We’ve seen hospital workers get vaccinated for COVID-19, but now, Sarasota county is rolling out the vaccine to other priority groups.
The Sarasota County Health Department received 3500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, this week. But only some are eligible to get it.
“Medical Health Care workers, people who are 65 and above, and first responders,” DOH spokesperson Steve Huard said.
“So exciting! Who would think getting a shot, would be exciting. We’re looking forward to it,” Charlotte County Residents Rolanda & David Wackter said.
The Wackter’s came from Charlotte County to get vaccinated.
“We’ve got to get ahead of this pandemic. And we want to be able to see our family travel,” Rolanda said. “We’ve been cooped up for months. We want to travel again.”
Sarasota County resident Ted Copland says he’s listening to science.
“Dr. Fauci got it, and I’m going to get it cause he got it,” Sarasota County resident, Ted Copland said.
Appointments went quickly, Tuesday.
“At 2:10, there were 30 slots in this hour, at 2:12, there were zero,“ Copeland said. “I think it was a very accidental bit of luck that I got the text and I acted on it right away.”
There are two doses. The health department says you need to get the second-round shot 28 days after your first. Huard says it’s important to know who made your vaccine.
“Especially for the snowbirds to understand,” Huard said. “You need to receive the same vaccine that you received in the first dose….So Moderna, Moderna or Pfizer, Pfizer.”
Those who received it Wednesday say it was a smooth process.
“We got in, got processed, had to fill out a little paperwork, waited about another 10 minutes, got taken up, was injected, and the whole process; probably from start to finish, 45 minutes or so,” Seasonal Resident from Wisconsin David Niemuth said.
“The ability to actually field and deliver the vaccine to our community is just a wonderful feeling,” Huard said.
Appointments for tomorrow are fully booked but you can text SRQCOVID19 to 888777 to get county alerts regarding vaccine availability each day.
More information can be found here.
