Gov. Ron DeSantis revealed some Publix supermarket pharmacies will provide COVID-19 vaccinations to those who qualify groups at an unplanned news conference last week.
It wasn’t long before people to take advantage of the chance. Officials have confirmed that all the appointments available have been scheduled.
If Publix receives more doses, officials have said that more appointments will be offered.
DeSantis announced some changes to the state’s vaccination distribution program on Monday, declaring that hospitals should use the vaccine immediately and that he is partnering with churches to distribute the vaccine. The governor did not mention Publix at two news conferences the previous day, however on Tuesday DeSantis announced his announcement at the Publix store in Ocala.
As per Publix.com a limited amount of vaccinations is “on the way to select Publix pharmacies in Citrus, Hernando and Marion counties.”
Vaccines are available for purchase by appointment as long as stocks last, according to the store.
As per the site according to the website, According to the website, 11 Marion county locations and eight Hernando County stores and three Citrus County locations will be offering the shots.
Publix Vice-President of Pharmacy Dain Rusk said that each store will administer vaccinating to about 120 people daily. Patients can make appointments on Thursday, January. 7. The chain of grocery stores also announced that shots would begin the next day.
“Tomorrow morning when customers wake up they can go online, and they can start scheduling appointments,” Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous said Wednesday. “They can schedule appointments for Thursday, Fridayand Saturday, and Friday in five-minute increments. Therefore, customers will have the option to choose their appointment time starting at 9:15 and they will be able to select timings every five minutes. We’ll keep this for the initial three working days.”
More updates on availability and the appointment registration system can be found at publix.com/COVIDvaccine. The link to reserve a spot will go live Thursday morning, according to Brous.
Brous did not specify what time the appointment booking website will go live, but numerous clients News 6 spoke to began scheduling appointments at 6 a.m. First day appointments for Thursday quickly filled.
The teams are all in standby. There are many people on standby and we also have assistance. Everyone is determined to make the process as easy as we can,” Brous said. “It’s technology. We have things we’re trying to incorporate to stop any potential opportunities from happening, but as with everything else, we have teams ready to assist and implement to the highest of our abilities.”
All vaccines are complimentary, but clients are required to present evidence of insurance, if they have it , and bring an identification photo.
“We want to avoid having a crush of people just show up and waiting in line all day and so, please go to the website and make the appointment,” DeSantis stated.
DeSantis has said that the pilot program, if it succeeds, Publix might offer vaccines at its other locations across the state. Publix has 756 pharmacies across Florida.
“We selected these three counties and these 22 pharmacies, but I’ve made clear to Publix that, if we’re able to do this, if it’s efficient, if people have a good response to it, you know, my goal would be to work with them and all their pharmacies,” DeSantis added.
The governor stated that he had asked Publix to assist with the vaccination campaign and Publix “stepped up” without hesitation.
It’s our honor to work together with Gov. DeSantis as a provider of this crucial vaccine. We’re thankful to be a part of protecting the health and well-being of those who are at risk of serious health issues caused by coronavirus” Rusk said in a statement. “We look forward to a time when everyone who wants a vaccination is able to receive one.”
The chain of grocery stores is also working with six states in which it operates to offer vaccines. The chain is based in Florida and is present within Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
As on the day of Tuesday Florida had only vaccinated three key groups Health care workers as well as staff at long-term care facilities as well as residents, and those who are over 65. The health care group comprises EMTs paramedics, paramedics, and health care workers who are not hospitalized along with Department of Health staff.
All Florida vaccine clinics are accessible to everyone within the priority groups, regardless of county or state residence. Residents must be back to receive the second shot 21 or 28 days following their first dose, based on the type of vaccine they are given, Moderna or Pfizer.
The Publix stores within Marion County will offer an alternative to Central Florida after the county Department of Health received more than 50,000 requests for vaccination appointments this week, including the first seniors’ doses.
The health department in the county began accepting reservations on Dec. 28 but , after having received more than 50,000 applications, it shut down its application portal.
“We’re capping the number of people included in this first round of signups to allow for staff to work through the current list of registrants and get them fully vaccinated,” Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander stated. “We will re-open registration once the first group of 50,000 registrants completes their vaccinations.”
DOH staff is trying to contact all those who make appointments. This could take some time.
Ocala City Mayor Kent Guinn said that he is pleased that the city will be part of the first phase of rollout.
“I’m glad he chose Ocala to do it, so my hats to the governor,” Guinn declared.
Guinn added that the elderly who live in Ocala have been inquiring about when they can expect to get a vaccine.
“I’m 66. I’ve had people call me to ask when will I get my shot? And they asked, “Is Publix taking care of it?”
Below is a complete list of stores that offer vaccines upon appointment beginning in Jan. 8.
