The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco), in partnership with Pasco County Emergency Management, Sears at the Gulf View Square Mall and Saint Leo University, continues to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to Florida residents in an effort to keep the percent positive on a downward trend. 

As of Tuesday, March 16, Pasco County has vaccinated 96,618 people: 47,959 people have received their first doses and 48,659 people have completed their second doses. DOH-Pasco continues to work with Pasco County Schools to vaccinate employees who are 50 years of age and older, as well as eligible employees with Pasco County private schools and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, Pasco County Emergency Management has coordinated the distribution of 25,176 vaccines to people in 55+ communities who are 60 and older. 

Beginning Monday, March 15, per the Governor’s Executive Order 21-62, all providers administering COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

• Long-term care facility residents and staff
• Persons 60 years of age and older – NEW
• Health care personnel with direct patient contact
• K-12 school employees 50 years of ages and older – NEW
• Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of ages and older – NEW
• Firefighters 50 years of age and older – NEW
• Individuals deemed extremely vulnerable by a licensed physician – NEW 

This week, DOH-Pasco began offering COVID-19 vaccination to residents who are 60 years of age or older, as well as all those listed above. Florida residents age 60 – 64, along with the 65+ residents, can now go to patientportalfl.com or call
1-844-770-8548 to create an account. Appointments open every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. for the following week and are not accessible at any other day or time. The DOH-Pasco vaccination sites do not appear on the CDR Maguire Patient Portal until appointments are available. 

Providers may also vaccinate persons age 18 or older whom a physician deems to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Such physician determinations must include a statement that the patient meets the defined eligibility criteria and established by the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability Form completed by a hospital provider or their physician. Eligible residents must present the completed form at their appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

DOH-Pasco continues to look for ways to reach and vaccinate residents 60 years of age and older. Working with home health agencies, hospitals and physician’s offices, we are expanding their capacity to provide vaccinations. In coordination with state and county efforts, we are exploring a homebound program to reach individuals in those situations. 

The statewide COVID-19 vaccine registration system is also available. Florida residents can go online to MyVaccine.FL.gov or call 866-201-7092 to be put on a waitlist that is being run by state sponsored sites. More COVID-19 vaccine is becoming available, and community partners – including retail pharmacies, hospital systems and physician’s offices – are beginning to receive COVID-19 vaccine and put infrastructure in place to vaccinate Pasco County residents. 

Reminder: Pasco County’s Executive Order issued in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 remains in effect. Face coverings are still required in most indoor public places in Pasco County, where social distancing cannot be maintained. Pasco County’s Face Coverings Order was issued in June and will remain in effect through Pasco’s Local State of Emergency, or until the county rescinds the order, whichever comes first. To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Pasco County’s order, please visit MyPasco.net or call Pasco County Customer Service at 727-847-2411. 

For more information on DOH-Pasco’s vaccination operations, please visit: Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov.

 DOH-Pasco requests, before contacting the health department directly, please visit: COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution. 

For questions about second dose vaccination, please visit: COVID-19 Vaccine Second Doseand for frequently asked questions, please visit: COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs