The second day for Orlando FEMA vaccination sites is higher

ORLANDO, Fla. The second day of Orlando’s FEMA mass vaccination website started with a higher turnout after the location did not reach its 2000 dose capacity.

Hundreds lined up early Thursday on the West Campus at Valencia College.

“We have a significant increase compared to what we had yesterday,” Lt. Col. Troy Fisher said during a news conference Thursday afternoon. “We are now working exactly as we would have hoped all along.”

According to Fisher, the yard averaged about 250 shots per hour.

FEMA officials said more than 2,000 doses were administered on Thursday.

The site used remaining doses from Wednesday and also used vaccinations from Tuesday’s test run.

According to officials, the site reached nearly 90% of capacity on the first day, blaming the lower-than-expected rise for the wet weather Wednesday morning and the fact that it was the first day.

Officials said they were making adjustments on Thursday to improve the experience of those who do have to wait a while on site to be vaccinated.

Tents are being set up. We move the line to make sure people are not in traffic or that traffic can still flow. That’s why we’re improving this site day by day to make sure we can look after the people of Orlando, ”Fisher said.

According to the Orlando Police Department, the site will be open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and is expected to be open for at least eight weeks.

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To encourage higher turnout, organizers said they are spreading the message that no appointments are needed at the location.

Those who are eligible to receive the vaccine can pre-register by clicking or typing here, but loop-ups are also accepted.

As of Thursday, Governor Ron DeSantis’s executive order states that people eligible for the vaccine include 65 and older people, law enforcement officers 50 and older, firefighters 50 and older, K-12 school staff 50 and older, health workers and people which is extremely vulnerable with a signed form from a doctor.

However, the federal site has expanded the coronavirus vaccine that is eligible Thursday to include K-12 teachers, child care staff and other school staff following a call from President Joe Biden to have the workers vaccinated by the end of the month . Publix, CVS and Walmart have also expanded their fitness requirements to offer shots to the workers.

[READ: Here’s where Florida teachers, school staff and child care workers can get the COVID-19 vaccine]

Yukeeba Mays, a 49-year-old teacher at West Orange High School, was able to shoot Thursday after the site began offering shots to those who met the extended criteria, just one day after she was initially turned away at the same site. because they do not meet the state’s age requirement.

She said she was emotional after hearing the news that she was now eligible and had her vaccination taken as soon as possible.

‘I was ecstatic because we should have had priority on the first day. I mean, I hear from other states that are opening schools, but we have been open since August and have been offering (classes) personally since August and I am also immune weakened, so I go into the classroom every day and pray that I am safe, ” said Mays.

Katherine Hammond is a 37-year-old teacher who recently extended her maternity leave because she was afraid to go back to school and possibly bring the virus back home. She said that teachers of all ages can get the vaccine, and that she will feel safer returning to work.

“I miss my kids to no end, I miss the people I work with, and it makes me feel much better to go back and finish the year strong,” she said.

Shelia Jones is a K-12 school district worker over 50 who also waited at the FEMA site on Thursday to have her shot. She said she is ecstatic that the vaccine is now available to educators.

“I think it’s important. (Teachers) are around children. “They have to be vaccinated because they are in danger,” Jones said.

She said the lines were pretty long Thursday, but everything went smoothly.

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