Hillsborough Vaccine Appointments Closed; Waiting For Shipment

TAMPA, FL — Appointments for the coronavirus vaccine are no longer available at this time for residents age 65 and older in Hillsborough County.

Appointment availability is based on the supply of vaccine provided by the state of Florida. The county expects to be able to offer additional appointments next week. Residents can visit the website for additional information and updates.

Hillsborough has about 9,000 vaccine doses that will be distributed to residents 65 and older between Wednesday and Saturday of this week. Demand for those appointments has been high.

The county expects shipments of vaccine doses weekly, and residents will be notified about how to make appointments as soon as the next batch of vaccines are available.

Residents can find out about vaccine availability by visiting the website. Appointments are mandatory for residents age 65 and older to get the first of two vaccine injections. There will be no vaccines for residents without appointments, and there is no waiting list.

As a reminder, Hillsborough County is in Phase I of the vaccine distribution plan as outlined and directed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Phase I is categorized by limited supply of vaccine availability and is focused on long-term care facilities (residents and staff); front-line health care workers; and people 65 years and over.

The four vaccine distribution sites are:

• North University Mall (parking lot), 2200 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa,
• Vance Vogel Sports Complex, 13012 Bullfrog Creek Road, Gibsonton
• Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds, 2700 W. Risk St., Plant City
• Ed Radice Sports Complex, 14720 Ed Radice Drive, Tampa

These sites were chosen for their geographic diversity, available resources and population density of residents age 65 and older. Details about access to the vaccine distribution sites will be given to residents upon appointment confirmation.

The state of Florida has made vaccines available for health care partner sacross Hillsborough County, including Tampa General Hospital, BayCare Health System, CVS and Walgreens.

Hillsborough County Emergency Management also is coordinating with the state for mobile distribution of vaccines to group homes and independent living facilities that meet the state's criteria.

The mandate that face coverings must be worn in businesses, with certain exceptions, remains in effect.

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system today temporarily closed five branches to allow staff to assist with the coronavirus related-operations in Hillsborough County.

The five branches that are temporarily closed are:

• Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa
• Port Tampa City Library, 4902 West Commerce St., Tampa
• Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Drive S.E., Ruskin
• Thonotosassa Branch Library, 10715 Main St., Thonotosassa
• West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 W.Union St., Tampa

Library employees have been activated to support in COVID-19 mitigation and vaccine registration, including assisting the external call center vendor to expand phone capacity for vaccine appointments.

A date to reopen the five library branches that are temporarily closed hasn't been determined.

For general county information, call 813-272-5900.