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 Monday, March 22, Pasco County has vaccinated 110,836 people: 53,337 people have received their first doses and 57,499 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 27,453 vaccines to people in 55+ communities. 

Beginning Monday, March 22, per the Governor’s Executive Order 21-67, all providers administering COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

• Long-term care facility residents and staff
• Persons 50 years of age and older
• Health care personnel with direct patient contact 

This week, DOH-Pasco began offering COVID-19 vaccine to residents who are 50 years of age or older, as well as all those listed above. Florida residents age 50 – 59, along with the 60+ 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. The DOH-Pasco vaccination sites only appear on the CDR Maguire Patient Portal when 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 50 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. Florida residents can also find vaccination sites by county or city on the Florida Department of Health Vaccine Locator webpage. 

In addition, Doctor’s Urgent Care will be providing COVID-19 vaccine while supplies last on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 13256 SR 54 in Odessa. To schedule an appointment, go to www.yourdoctorsurgentcare.com. For questions, call 813-920-0023. 

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. 

TESTING REMINDER: In response to fewer people seeking COVID-19 testing, DOH-Pasco is now only providing COVID-19 testing on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sears in the Gulf View Square Mall. Testing is NOT provided at Saint Leo University.