Bennett Park Closed, Will Serve As Coronavirus Vaccination Site

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Starting Friday, Manatee County shifted its coronavirus vaccine distribution efforts from the Public Safety Center to Tom Bennett Park.

The park, which is located at 280 Kay Road in Bradenton, has been closed since New Year’s Eve so the county could prepare the drive-through vaccination site, according to Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Facebook page.

Bennett Park will remain closed throughout the distribution process. All park services and athletic activities will be moved to other county parks, the department said.

Vaccinations for Floridians 65 and older began Wednesday in Manatee County at the Public Safety Center. The available appointments on Wednesday and Thursday filled up quickly.

The county will announce additional dates and times for coronavirus vaccination appointments Monday at 2 p.m. Information about the new appointments can be found on the county website here.

To obtain a vaccination, you must be 65 and older and you must remain in Manatee County to get your second dose 28 days after your first appointment. Those vaccinated must also download and complete the Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form.

The county is scheduling appointments according to Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order, which says the first vaccines in the state will be administered to long-term care facility residents and staff, people 65 and older and health care workers with direct patient contact, according to a DOH news release. Hospitals may also vaccinate people deemed to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Florida has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Report that will be updated daily at www.FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov. This report includes a breakdown of who has received the vaccine by age, race, gender and county.

Learn more about Manatee County's vaccination plan at www.mymanatee.org/vaccine.