Pensacola, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County’s (FDOH-Escambia) will serve as one of several Florida counties taking part in COVID-19 vaccination efforts that will prioritize Moderna immunizations for medical providers at high-risk for COVID-19 exposure and persons 65 years of age or older.

According to data released by the Food and Drug Administration, the vaccine made by Moderna is highly protective for adults and prevents severe cases of COVID-19. FDOH-Escambia received 2,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. 840 doses have either been provided to community partners for administration or administered at FDOH-Escambia Clinic.  FDOH-Escambia continues to coordinate vaccine administration with local health care providers and independent living facilities. Clinic appointments are also available for health care workers and Escambia County residents 65 years of age and older.

FDOH-Escambia is requesting health care providers complete a COVID vaccination planning survey. The objective is to assess and plan for vaccination of medical providers who will not be covered by one of our area hospitals or health systems. We only need one survey per organization. Please complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Survey if you are not receiving the vaccine from a parent company or hospital. You will want to coordinate appropriately within your practice to ensure there is only one reply per organization.

FDOH-Escambia is also requesting individuals 65 years of age and older, who are interested in getting vaccinated, request an appointment to receive the vaccine. The appointment request form is located on our COVID-19 webpage. Please do not walk-in or call the FDOH-Escambia appointment line for the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The arrival of the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Escambia County gives us an extraordinary opportunity to protect older adults and health care workers who are at an especially high-risk for COVID-19 exposure,” said Marie Mott, Health Officer and Administrator for FDOH-Escambia. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is a monumental step toward getting this disease under control in Florida, but the department is still encouraging residents and visitors to take common sense precautions to protect themselves and others from the spread of the virus.

These include frequent hand washing, wearing face masks, maintaining six feet of social distancing, and staying home if you are feeling sick.

As vaccination events and details are finalized, FDOH-Escambia will release more information on the vaccination plan. COVID-19 vaccines from other manufacturers will be available for use at later dates as supplies reach the state.

For information about FDOH-Escambia and COVID-19 testing visit escambia.floridahealth.gov or follow us on Twitter at @healthyescambia.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyEscambia and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.