Orange County

FEMA site resumes COVID-19 vaccinations after temporarily closing due to storms

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The federally run COVID-19 vaccination site at Valencia College West Campus resumed administering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday after it temporarily closed due to storms in the area.

Anyone 16 and older will be eligible to receive a Pfizer vaccine at the federally-supported vaccination sites.

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Officials said the site will be able to administer up to 3,000 first doses of the vaccine per day.

Previously, the site offered 3,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Officials said the site may switch back to administering the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, depending on additional guidance.

READ: ‘We just have to get the demand up’: Orange County officials aim to fight decreased interest in COVID-19 vaccines

This comes as some local leaders voice concerns over how many people are getting the shot.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said demand is going down.

Demings said the county has seen a decrease at the Orange County Convention Center.

Last week, the county opened 17,000 appointment slots, but it still has about 11,000 openings.

READ: More children are suffering the long-term effects of COVID-19 - what are doctors doing to fight back

Local leaders are pushing everyone to get vaccinated.

“I know you want to get vaccinated,” Demings said. “Everyone has reasons for wanting to get vaccinated. Some want to protect their family and friends. Some want to protect themselves. Some want to travel. Some want to return to work or school. So I simply asked all of you, what’s your reason for wanting to get vaccinated? What is your reason? I know you want to get vaccinated.”

Demings said the state needs about 80% of people to be vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity.

READ: ‘Dragged like a little rag doll’: 2 Lake County school employees resign after video shows student dragged

As of Tuesday, 24% of Floridians have been fully vaccinated, and 34% of people have received at least one shot.

The vaccination site at Valencia College West does not require an appointment. The site is open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.

Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.