Convention Center COVID-19 vaccination site open to residents outside Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – On the first day that COVID-19 vaccinations for elderly residents at the Orange County Convention Center began, officials made a major change that will open the site to more people.

The director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Dr. Raul Pino, was firmly convinced late Monday afternoon when plans were unveiled for the site according to which only Orange County residents, over the age of 65, they can be shot there.

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“Now, all these services are intended only for Orange residents and we will validate your residence with a proper identity card. So, as you enter the information (online), please make sure it matches the ID you are going to provide, ”Pino said on Monday.

The site opened for vaccinations for the first time on Tuesday at 9 am and until 13:00, the county announced that it will no longer be limited to residents of Orange County.

No reason was given for the change, but Pino mentioned on Monday that there could be some logistical problems, allowing only the inhabitants of Orange County.

“So, Orange County will have a challenge because we are such a central location and such a magnet for the surrounding communities. Other people in the surrounding communities will try to get vaccinated here, so it will be interesting to see if people adhere to that, ”Pino said.

The goal is to vaccinate 1,500 people a day at the convention center.

Appointments are mandatory and can be done online. However, after the first day, the online registration portal was closed after more than 30,000 meetings were made in 24 hours.

“At this time, the Department is closing the CDR HealthPRO portal for further appointments,” read an e-mail from Orange County DOH. “The department will provide an update when the system reopens.”

Vaccination sites in Osceola and Seminole counties are also open to non-county residents. For details on these counties, click or tap here.