NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - There are new changes at some South Florida vaccination sites for those still looking to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Miami-Dade College’s North Campus was set to only administer second doses starting Tuesday, but officials announced the site will continue to offer the first dose as well as the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Those 50 years and older who wish to receive the vaccine can either walk up or drive up to the site without an appointment. Several cars have already arrived at the site early Tuesday morning.
“Numbers are awesome. We are hitting above the 3,000 per day,” said a representative at the site. “We may go up to more than 500, but right now, that’s what we’re doing, at least starting Wednesday.”
The site is also expected to receive Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses.
“They print up a ticket, they put it on their arms, so they get scanned when they get to the vaccination tent,” the representative said. “Then they enter the vaccination tent, which is done by our DOD — they are pharmacists, LPNs, RNs and the Army or in the Air Force.”
“I just thought I’d drive up to see how long the wait would be,” said Terry Lintner, who got the COVID vaccine. “It was very quick.”
“Didn’t even feel it,” Joe McLemore said. “I didn’t even know that she did it, but yeah, I’m good.”
McLemore said it is his civic duty to get vaccinated.
“I just want to get it done for the community, for everybody around me and my family,” he said.
Tuesday is the last day residents can receive their shots at Charles Hadley Park in Miami and South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in Cutler Bay.
Both sites will close and reopen in a few weeks when residents can visit them to receive their second dose of the vaccine.
There are also two FEMA-supported sites that will be reopening. Ronselli Park, at 250 SW 114th Ave. in Sweetwater, and Florida City Youth Activity Center, at 650 NW Fifth Ave., will reopen on Wednesday.
About 5,700 people have been vaccinated at FEMA-supported sites in South Florida on Monday. Since March 2, about 78,000 people have received the vaccine.
Meanwhile, AstraZeneca plans to seek emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its COVID-19 vaccine.
While some are concerned about the drug’s safety, Florida International University infectious disease expert Dr. Aileen Marty said there is not enough data to support the worries. However, with Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccinating millions of Americans, she thinks the vaccine is arriving too late.
“It’s not something that we have data to support at this time, so it may be just as safe as other vaccines,” Marty said. “We don’t necessarily need an additional vaccine in the United States at this time.”
To show community support, Miami Heat staff served free breakfast for those getting vaccinated and those working at the site.
Administrators said the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is set to arrive at MDC North Campus in April.
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