Mayor Brody’s Van Wezel Vaccine Distribution Plan OK'd By State

SARASOTA, FL — Florida officials have approved a plan submitted by Mayor Hagen Brody and the city of Sarasota to distribute 8,000 vaccine doses at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Brody said Friday afternoon.

Though the city hasn’t been sent any vaccines yet, nor has it been told “how many and how much,” Brody said, “we’re talking weeks, not months” until the clinics take place.

Working with the Sarasota County Medical Society, other area medical professionals and the city, he asked the state initially for 8,000 vaccine doses.

According to the plan submitted, the proposed drive-thru vaccination site at the performing arts center, located at 777 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, would distribute 2,000 doses over a two-day period. This would be repeated over four weeks.

Those offered appointments at the new vaccination spot will be pulled from the Department of Health in Sarasota County’s vaccine queue, Brody said. Those who want to receive the vaccine should sign up through the county’s Everbridge system.

“Tens of thousands have signed up in that initial 1A group,” he said. “We’re all working towards pulling people off that list and getting them the vaccination they need. The faster we can do that, the faster we can get back to normal.”

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.

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Brody has been frustrated by the distribution process in Florida and the Sarasota area, and has let Florida leaders know about his concerns.

“I’m sure people at the state level are as frustrated as I am about the lack of vaccines available, but I look forward to working with them and bringing this vaccination clinic to reality,” he said.

Since vaccine distribution began in Florida at the end of December, he’s received numerous emails and calls from Sarasota residents frustrated by how difficult it’s been to register for and receive a vaccine.

“It’s really desperation, is the word,” Brody said. “The emails I’m getting are heart-wrenching stories of World War II veterans, and sons and daughters trying to get the vaccine for their 90-year-old parents. Heart-wrenching stories. I’m doing everything I can to get more vaccines into out community so people can get the vaccinations they need and want for themselves and their parents.”

He hopes to see “World War II-level effort from the federal government” when it comes to vaccine distribution, he added. “It’s the only way we’re going to get through this.”

Brody is optimistic about the Van Wezel distribution, which will be driven largely by volunteers. When he shared an initial request for volunteers for the project, he received more than 100 responses within three days.

“This is completely volunteer driven,” he said. “The medical professionals in our area saw the need for vaccines. These are people on the front lines dealing with the repercussions of the coronavirus. They saw the need to get it out quick.”