Orange County

Orange County schools to offer COVID-19 vaccines for employees ages 65 and older

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools is making efforts to get more than 900 employees aged 65 and older vaccinated for COVID-19.

Officials confirmed Friday that OCPS employees will be able to get vaccinated at the Orange County Convention Center starting Jan. 24.

Watch: Nearly 30K nonresidents have received COVID-19 vaccines in Florida

“I am thrilled, I am thrilled,” said OCPS School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs. “I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I wish this (had) happened about three weeks ago.”

According to the district and health department their aim is to vaccinate all employees over age 65, which includes bus drivers, paraprofessionals and others. OCPS officials said getting the COVID-19 vaccine is optional.

Watch: Florida emergency management director blames federal government for COVID-19 vaccine rollout delays

The health department said the district will send employees an information code.

They’ll use that to make a reservation on the county’s vaccination reservation website.

The Orange County school district has more than 25,000 employees. Of these, 970 people are 65 and older, so about 4% of the workforce will have access to the vaccine in 2 weeks.

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

“The people that I’m hearing from are the employees that want the option to get vaccinated,” Jacobs said.

See the full report in the video above.

Cierra Putman

Cierra Putman, WFTV.com

Cierra Putman flew south to join Eyewitness News in July 2016.