Orange County officials, doctors host town hall on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — With only about 40% of Orange County residents vaccinated so far, county leaders spent the last hour clearing up any questions standing in the way of people getting the shot.

Officials said they’re not trying to twist anyone’s arm, they just wanted to lay out all the facts so people can make an informed decision.

They said if they could use up all the vaccines available over the next four weeks, we could get rid of the virus completely.

READ: Myths, distrust keep some in Black community from getting COVID-19 vaccine

There is no issue with supply, only with getting people comfortable with the vaccine.

Several people from the public stood up and asked questions, and the doctors explained in as much detail as possible why the vaccine is safe.

Officials encouraged parents to have heart-to-heart conversations with their young-adult children about doing this for others and not just themselves. But they also said there’s too much of a misconception that young people are not impacted by COVID-19.

READ: Here’s where to find the COVID-19 vaccine in your county

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Video: FEMA vaccine sites in Florida resume use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Federal Emergency Management Agency COVID-19 vaccine sites have resumed administering the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (Cierra Putman, WFTV.com)

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