“They will come to the health departments and they will come to some of the pharmacies in the community, but they can do very few,” Bencie said.
State officials attributed the closure of the sites to low demand, according to an email newsletter from the city of Sarasota.
However, the state-run testing site at the Bradenton Area Convention Center is still conducting between 800 to 1,000 tests a day and seeing “well over” 10% positivity rates on the rapid tests, according to Bencie.
The three local COVID-19 testing sites that will close are at the convention center on 1 Haben Boulevard in Palmetto, which will close Saturday; the walk-up testing site at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th Street in Sarasota, which will end Friday; and the drive-through site at 5400 Bradenton Road at the Sarasota Kennel Club, which will close on Sunday.
Fewer than half of Sarasota County jail inmates ask to be vaccinated
Elizabeth Djinis
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office posted a picture of a correctional facility inmate getting the COVID-19 vaccine in mid-April as part of an enthusiastic Facebook post.
The update touted a partnership with healthcare provider NaphCare, which offers services specifically to correctional facilities, to vaccinate any inmate who is willing. On that day, April 14, 50 male and female inmates were vaccinated.
Unfortunately, fewer than half of Sarasota County Jail inmates have requested to be vaccinated, so far. The jail houses more than 840, as of May 5. But only 350 of those inmates – roughly 42% – have been vaccinated.
So if you’re an interested nonprofit or community organization, what information do you need before reaching out? First, the initiating group should have a sense of demand. Both health departments want at least 50 people on a list or intending to get vaccinated to spur an event.
“I’d rather be going out somewhere I can deliver at least 50 shots rather than just send people out to cool their heels somewhere,” said Sarasota health department spokesperson Steve Huard.
The health department will supply vaccines and administer the shots, but they also need to ensure that there are proper spaces for the process. They need a place to get people registered, a spot for the vaccination and somewhere for those vaccinated to sit and wait for 15 minutes after their inoculation.
But in Sarasota and Manatee, health department leaders have not noticed the same phenomenon.
Florida Department of Health in Manatee County health officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie said people have generally been very conscientious. If they need to reschedule a second dose appointment or can’t make their offered time, they often call in advance and ask for guidance.
“Most people have been really involved and engaged calling us and saying that, ‘For whatever reason, my family won’t be here on that day. What do we do?,’” Dr. Bencie said.
Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County health officer Chuck Henry indicated that the agency was “aware of some” who had not returned for their second doses. The Sarasota County health department is building a list of those who have missed their second shots. They plan to compare that with Florida’s vaccine database to see whether some who missed second-dose appointments received vaccines elsewhere, like from a pharmacy or at
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