NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - It appears the regulations put in place to determine who can get the COVID-19 vaccine are being followed at Miami-Dade College’s North Campus on Thursday after word got around some people who do not meet the current criteria can get vaccinated.
“It was a disaster, but today everything is different,” said Jose Para. “It’s doing good, really good.”
Para headed to the vaccination site early in the morning, as it marked his second day trying to get his dose.
The day before, hundreds of people waited at the site after others said they did not meet any of the qualifications to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but they were allowed to receive the shot, nonetheless.
“We look at what happened yesterday and how we’re moving forward today and how we can do better tomorrow,” Mike Jachles, the chair of the Florida Association of Public Information Officers, said.
Many were angry and frustrated after being turned away on Tuesday.
“It was chaos because everybody thought that everybody was allowed to get the vaccine,” said one man waiting in line. “They were turning people away because no one had the right documents. We’re really blessed that we’re finally getting it done because it’s been a real rough 12 months.”
“We saw people without the proper documentation that were turned away,” said Richard Parrish after getting vaccinated.
Signs are now posted around the FEMA-supported site reminding everyone of the vaccine criteria.
As of noon, around 1,000 residents received a vaccine at Miami-Dade College’s North Campus on Thursday.
“It was flawless,” said Parrish. “I feel great. I got the J and J shot, so I don’t have to deal with this again, and it’s worked out perfect.”
“It was actually very easy,” said Michelle Manuel, who was able to get vaccinated. “At every checkpoint they asked, ‘Did I have my papers and my ID,’ and I was good.”
Florida residents 65 and older are eligible, others with a state form signed by a doctor stating they have an underlying health condition, childcare workers and K-12 employees and firefighters and law enforcement officers 50 and older.
The signed form can be shown to site officials electronically.
“I feel amazing because at the end of the day, I am the one in the house that does most of the going out and the shopping and I don’t want to bring anything back,” said Michelle Manuel after receiving her vaccine on Friday morning. “I felt more peace of mind.”
Two mobile vaccination sites in Florida City and Sweetwater have closed and were relocated to Allen Park in North Miami Beach and Miami Springs Community Center in Miami Springs.
“I was in line no more than 10 minutes,” said one woman who got vaccinated.
“I never anticipated that it would be this smooth,” said another woman after getting vaccinated.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he expects an increase in shots in the next few weeks.
“We could be at a position sometime in April where it’s just available and people can get it,” he said.
The Miami-Dade College North Campus mass vaccination site is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
For more information about vaccination sites in Florida, click here.
To check for vaccination appointment availability at Publix locations, click here.
Anyone with questions and concerns about the coronavirus can call the Florida Department of Health’s 24-hour hotline at 1-866-779-6121.
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