Sarasota County Coronavirus Vaccines: What You Need To Know

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — As coronavirus vaccine distribution continues throughout Florida and across the country, here’s everything you need to know about registering for a vaccination appointment in Manatee County.

Sarasota County has opted out of the statewide registration system.

The Department of Health in Sarasota County has opted out of Florida’s new statewide vaccination registration system, and will continue to use its own Everbridge system, which launched in the county Jan. 20.

To receive the vaccine in Sarasota County, people must sign up through Everbridge, which can be accessed online here. You can also register by calling 941-861-VAXS (8297).

When scheduling appointments, Sarasota County bases them on the vaccine queue.

When you register through the Everbridge system for vaccine registration, you’re automatically entered into a queue. Those who register to receive a vaccination, will remain on the list until doses become available. Then, they'll be contacted by the county to set up an appointment.

"Once you register into this system, you will go into a queue, so you don't have to register again," Steve Huard, DOH public information officer said.

Since launching the system, the county has added a registration number to each account so you can tell where you are in line. That number can be found in the “account number” in the “My Information” section when you sign in.

You need to confirm your appointment in order to schedule it.

The county will contact you when doses are available. Those who receive an appointment notification have two hours to confirm or decline it, according to an email from Sarasota County. If an individual declines an appointment, they won't lose their place in the queue. They'll be contacted for the next available vaccine clinic.

If receiving notifications by phone, the call will come from 941-861-8297. Emails will come from the Department of Health in Sarasota County COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System using the email address DOHcovid19vaccine@scgov.net. And those notified by text will receive a messaged from the number 88911.

Watch this tutorial from the county on how to accept and confirm your appointment:

Vaccinations clinics have moved to the Sarasota Square Mall.

All first- and second-dose vaccinations administered through the Department of Health in Sarasota County are being done at Sarasota Square Mall at 8201 S Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

"It's conveniently located off of U.S. 41, so it makes it a very central location for everybody in Sarasota County," Huard said.

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The county will contact you to book your second appointment.

If you've received your first vaccine dose through Sarasota County, the county will contact you when it's time for your booster shot. This will be scheduled for either 21 or 28 days after the initial shot, depending on whether you received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Vaccine doses are only available to Florida residents.

If you're hoping to receive a vaccine in Sarasota County or elsewhere in Florida, you're required to be a state resident, either full-time or part-time, the county said. At your appointment, you'll need to show proof of residency: a valid Florida driver's license or ID card, rental agreements, or utility bills with your name on them.

Sarasota County residency is not required to receive the vaccine there.

The vaccine remains available only to frontline health care workers, those in long-term care facilities, and people 65 and older.

As Florida moves through this first phase of vaccination, the state continues to target three communities: frontline health care workers with direct patient contact, residents and staff in long-term care facilities, and individuals who are 65 and older. Hospitals can also choose to vaccinate those they feel are vulnerable to coronavirus.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order prioritizing these groups in December.

Stay updated through the county's text alert system.

Residents can receive updated information about the coronavirus or the vaccine by signing up for Sarasota County's emergency alert system. Text "SRQCOVID19" to 888777. The county will send text alerts when vaccination registration is available or it needs to share other information about the pandemic.