MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - More venues are opening this week to help in the vaccine rollout for seniors 65 and older.
On Tuesday, Hard Rock Stadium resumed COVID-19 testing after pausing it on Monday to focus on distributing the vaccine.
The demand for testing is still high across South Florida as the first couple of cars at Hard Rock Stadium started lining up at around 4 a.m.
7SkyForce HD hovered over the parking lot where testing and vaccine distributions are taking place as a line of vehicles could be seen wrapped around the street.
Vaccines are being administered only to those who have a scheduled appointment.
On Wednesday, the Coral Square Mall will begin to offer vaccines to those 65 and older, becoming the second spot in Broward County to begin giving shots this week.
On Tuesday, the Department of Health kicked off the vaccination effort at the Inter Miami soccer stadium in Fort Lauderdale, where officials at Broward Health plan on administering 500 doses a day.
“Our objective is to give vaccines and administer because we know that’s saving lives,” said Dr. Aldo Calvo.
“I haven’t been anywhere since March, but next week I hope to go to north Florida,” said vaccine recipient Kathryn Remsem.
While those who were able to roll up their sleeves make plans for the future, just getting an appointment is still practically impossible for many people across South Florida.
“We’re doing everything we can to try to maintain the supply chain and to ensure that there are sufficient vaccinations,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis.
“The vaccine is critically important, and we do not have the supply that we need,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
Cava said local leaders are working to get the medication, but it can’t come soon enough.
On Tuesday, the state reported nearly 15,000 new cases of the virus and a positivity rate of 10.5%.
Assisted living facilities, like The Palace Group in Coral Gables continue to remain a top priority, as well as anyone who is 65 and older.
“We’re reporting 350,000 seniors that have received coronavirus vaccine shots,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The COVID-19 vaccine will be given out at Coral Square Mall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only.
For more information about making an appointment at Miami-Dade vaccination sites, click here. For sites in Broward, click here.
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