Orange County Convention Center reopens COVID-19 vaccine registration portal

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County reopened its online portal Friday morning to schedule more COVID-19 vaccination appointments at the Orange County Convention Center.

As many as 17,000 new reservations were available, according to Mayor Jerry Demings.

>>>Click here for details on how to register for an vaccine appointment<<<

The opportunity for more residents to get vaccinated coincided with health leaders’ recent concerns over an increase in COVID-19 cases, especially among the younger population.

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At a news conference Thursday, county officials said the vaccine distribution to date has caused them to shift much of their concern from an older, more vulnerable community, to young adults.

That’s because a majority of Florida’s seniors have now been vaccinated; in contrast, officials say they continue to see hesitation among younger people when it comes to signing up for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Officials said this has also led to a higher percentage of younger people being hospitalized.

Watch: COVID vaccines may help “long-haulers” with lingering symptoms, doctors say

Hospitals are seeing fewer patients aged 65 and up and more 64 and under.

They’re seeing the highest jump in people aged 25 to 49.

Orange County Health Officer Dr. Raul Pino said the same trend is seen with the virus variants.

Read: Pfizer says COVID-19 booster shots will likely be needed

As of Thursday, 52% of Orange County residents 40 or older have had at least one dose of the vaccine, and 28% of the total population.

The portal for the vaccination site at the Orange County Convention Center opens Friday morning at 9 a.m.

>>>Click here for details on how to register for an vaccine appointment<<<

That site plans to administer the additional 17,000 Pfizer shots next week.

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The county’s mobile unit will also move to Silver Star Park next week.

Orange County leaders are also looking at how they can start ending the mask mandates.

Cox Media Group