The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) and Pinellas County Government launched the largest vaccine site in the county today, equipped to vaccinate up to 2,000 people per day.

Vaccine distribution continues by appointment only for residents 65 and older registered on the Patient Portal website, with more than 106,000 getting at least their first dose to date, around 11 percent of the population.

Please arrive on time for your upcoming vaccine appointment, but not early, as this causes crowding at the site and slows the process. Also remember appointments are required for all vaccines.

Pinellas Fire paramedics along with health department nurses and Pinellas County staff will serve residents with appointments at the new Pinellas Central Vaccination Site.

Residents can create an account on the CDR Health Pro Patient Portal at www.PatientPortalFL.com . When creating your account, opt into both email and text alerts. Individuals without immediate computer or cell phone access are encouraged to have a friend or family member create their account for them and monitor for the invitation.

Residents can also call this number for help creating an account or other technical assistance: 844-770-8548, though registering over the phone can take significantly longer than using a computer and residents will still need an email account or a phone number capable of receiving text messages to receive their invitation.

As new appointments become available in the coming weeks, eligible residents will receive an invitation with instructions for scheduling. For now, people will be contacted in the order in which they signed up.

Appointment scheduling is summarized below:

• Monitor for a direct notification from CDR Health. Only one notification will be provided. Reminders will not be sent.
• Log in to the Patient Portal, enter the requested information and book first and second dose appointments. Users will have 48 hours to complete the booking.
• Keep the appointment. Due to limited supply and high demand, rescheduling is not available. Prioritize accordingly.

Local pharmacies, including Publix, Walmart and Sam's Club, are also offering vaccine appointments in Pinellas based on available supply. Check store websites for more information.

Pinellas County leads the state in vaccinating the most vulnerable residents at long-term care facilities and remains among the top large counties in Florida for overall percent of population receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information on local vaccine distribution and availability updates, visit https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/vaccines/ For the latest information on vaccine appointments and updates, residents can check https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/vaccines or the DOH-Pinellas accounts Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor.

For information about DOH-Pinellas, go to www.PinellasHealth.com or follow us on Twitter @HealthyPinellas.