Hillsborough County To Take Coronavirus Vaccines To Those In Need

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — On Thursday, Hillsborough County began an aggressive new initiative to expand vaccination distribution to full- and part-time residents outside the county's current distribution area.

The Targeted Vaccine Area initiative is a joint outreach effort to vaccinate seniors age 65 and older at senior homes and independent living communities throughout the county.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County and the University of South Florida College of Public Nursing have joined Hillsborough County's Office of Emergency Management and Department of Aging Services in this mission.

Soon Tampa General Hospital will add its resources to the effort.

It's good news for those living in senior apartment homes and independent living communities who are anxious to receive a vaccine. The program finds locations where the 65 and older population are concentrated in Hillsborough County and delivers the vaccine to them.

First efforts began today at Kings Manor on Columbus Drive in Tampa. The mission will continue next at the San Lorenzo Terrace I and II communities on Gomez Avenue in Tampa.

Hillsborough County's Office of Emergency Management has identified 350 locations and expects the list to grow. The Office of Emergency Management staff is using the state registry and sources, such as the Department of Aging Services, to identify optimal locations.

Reaching the identified senior apartment homes and independent living communities week to week with the vaccine will depend on the supplies that are available. Hillsborough County is in Phase I of the vaccine distribution plan as outlined and directed by the governor of Florida.

Phase I is focused on long-term care facilities (residents and staff); front-line health care workers and people age 65 and over.

Limited availability of vaccines is anticipated over the next several weeks.