Van Wezel Vaccine Clinic Planned Saturday, Sunday In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL — The city of Sarasota will host a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic Saturday and Sunday at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, according to a news release from the city.

The event will provide first-dose vaccinations for about 4,000 seniors 65 and older, and frontline health care workers, the city said.

The Moderna vaccine doses being given at this event were provided by the state to the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County as part of its weekly allotment. Mayor Hagen Brody recently presented the state with a plan to establish a vaccine site within the city limits and worked with local health department officials, area medical professionals, hundreds of citizen volunteers and city staff to organize the distribution plan for the Van Wezel.

Appointments are being scheduled for people who have signed up to receive the vaccine through Everbridge, Sarasota County’s vaccine registration system, and are next in line in the system. Only those with an appointment at the Van Wezel clinic will be permitted on site, the city said.

The performing arts venue is located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Those with confirmed appointments can access the facility’s parking lot through the 10th Street entrance during their scheduled appointment block.

When they arrive, they’ll be directed to the check-in area. Drivers should bring their completed vaccine screening and consent form and a valid ID or proof of Florida residency.

No walk-ups will be accepted at the drive-through clinic. Individuals who are ill or who have tested positive for COVID-19 should not come to the site.

Individuals without appointments are asked to avoid the Van Wezel area this weekend, the city said. The facility’s parking lot will be closed beginning midnight Friday, and any vehicles parked there overnight will be towed.

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A pop-up vaccination clinic will also be held at the Venice Municipal Airport Festival Grounds Saturday and Sunday, according to an email from Brianne Grant, Sarasota County’s media relations officer. Notices for this clinic, which will administer the Pfizer vaccine, are going out Thursday, as well.

Notifications are also going out for a second-dose vaccine clinic at Sarasota Square Mall Saturday from 8:30 to 2:30 p.m., Grant said. The clinic is for those who received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine Jan. 18 through 31 through the DOH.

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.

Those who haven't signed up to receive the coronavirus vaccine in Sarasota County yet can do so online here. They can also register by calling 941-861-8297.