Pinellas County to begin vaccinating those 65 and older next week

ST. PETERSBURG, #Fla. — #Pinellas #County was selected as part of a pilot program to be among the first two counties in #Florida to provide vaccines to those in skilled nursing facilities.

6,700 staff and residents have been vaccinated across the county’s 68 #Skilled #Nursing #Facilities within five days of the arrival of the #Pfizer vaccine.

#Vaccines were also provided to EMS, #Fire #Rescue and other healthcare personnel. #More than 12,300 people have been vaccinated in the county to date.

The county says its next priority is setting a vaccine plan for those who are 65 years old or older.

“#While we’re starting to see vaccines arrive in #Pinellas #County, the numbers are going to be very low for a while until the stock can be built up,” said #Thomas #Iovino, #Public #Information #Officer with the #Florida #Department of #Health in #Pinellas #County.

The health department will start vaccinations for people 65 or older on #Tuesday, #January 5.

The health department’s reservation system is expected to go live at noon on #January 4. #People must make an appointment online or by calling the health department.

The health department has not released details on locations for vaccinations.

“#We need to make sure we have those locations marked out properly and make sure we have proper traffic management. #Once we have all those lined up, we’ll be able to announce those locations,” said #Iovino.

#Iovino encourages everyone to take precautions as #New #Year’s #Eve approaches.

“#It’s more important now than ever. #Now we see the light at the end of the tunnel to not give up on our standard precautionary measures we’ve been advising since #March and that includes wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and staying home if you feel sick and maintaining a social distance,” said #Iovino.