Seminole County sees thousands of vacant COVID-19 vaccine appointments

OVIEDO, Fla. — Health officials in Seminole County said they have thousands of COVID-19 vaccine appointments available Friday afternoon and into next week.

It’s a big change from what the Oviedo Mall vaccine site usually sees.

Now county leaders are looking at phasing out the Oviedo Mall location.

Read: Coronavirus: CDC advisory panel recommends lifting pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine

No timetable has been given for when the mall vaccine site will close for good, but officials said they are looking at smaller, more convenient locations.

“Ironically tomorrow is sold out, so it looks like people are getting appointments when it is convenient,” said Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris. “People aren’t necessarily against the vaccine, but they just want to do it on their time.”

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

Harris said convenience is the key; in fact, moving forward, they are looking at changes.

“We are looking at downsizing of course moving from the large department type store to a smaller store looking at where we will need to be.”

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

Harris said they will still be open at the current site for second doses, but they are looking at communities where the vaccines may be in higher demand.

It’s unclear how long the Oviedo Mall site will stay open and if there are plans to lower the age requirement.

Cox Media Group