Thank you public health employees, first responders, health care workers and all other heroes for your diligence and dedication during the COVID-19 crisis.

In partnership with the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Orange County Department of Health (DOH-Orange) have been providing COVID-19 vaccinations at the Orange County Convention Center drive-through site since December 2020. DOH-Orange has also partnered with the Orange County Fire & Rescue Department, the Orlando Fire Department and the Apopka Fire Department to serve underserved and elderly populations. The vaccines were administered at local churches and senior housing facilities. To date, over 55 vaccination events have been conducted, and 7,828 individuals were vaccinated. The total vaccine doses administered in Orange County is 303,515. The total number of people vaccinated is 205,616. Of those, 108,394 are fully immunized.

This sign leads people to the radio station purchased by DOH-Citrus in
2009 which allowed residents to tune in and receive important
information and instructions while waiting in line for their COVID-19 test

Congratulations to DOH-Citrus for winning a 2020 Florida TaxWatch Productivity Award. DOH-Citrus was recognized for developing targeted messages using a low power portable transmitter AM radio station at the agency's drive-thru COVID-19 testing site. The radio station allowed residents to tune in to receive important information and instructions while waiting in line for their test. Using the portable radio allowed DOH-Citrus to utilize less staff at the site and traffic became more efficient and safer.

Jimmy Smith, an NAACP Representative, is shown here assisting
with the vaccines initiative.

Staff and volunteers from DOH-Martin joined forces with members of the NAACP to provide COVID-19 vaccinations in East Stuart, an underserved area of the community. Using a drive-thru model, teams vaccinated approximately 320 residents 65 and older as well as healthcare providers. DOH-Martin has carried out many targeted outreach events across the county to ensure access for those who are eligible but may have difficulties accessing the vaccine due to computer access, transportation and/or other barriers.

Florida Gateway College Nursing Students shown here participating
in the vaccine event

Through a partnership with DOH-Hamilton and the Florida Gateway College, six nursing students and their instructor assisted with vaccinating over 100 individuals at the drive-through Point of Distribution (POD) held at DOH-Hamilton. This is an on-going partnership in which nursing students and college faculty will assist at the vaccination sites each week. Due to this collaboration, DOH-Hamilton is able to expand vaccination capacity and nursing students are gaining important POD experience.