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Manatee County vaccination update through April 13
Residents vaccinated (at least one dose): 151,243
Residents fully vaccinated: 90,239
County population: Approximately 403,253
Spurred by the state, Manatee County is changing its COVID-19 vaccination strategy.
Gov. Ron DeSantis opened vaccine appointments to all Floridians 18 and older April 5. As more people gain access to vaccines, Manatee County shifted away from its lottery system after depleting its standby pool.
The county will switch to a first-come, first-serve system starting April 21.
Dr. Jennifer Bencie, the Manatee County Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health, said demand has decreased for vaccine doses given at Manatee County-run vaccination sites, such as the ones located at Tom Bennett Park in East County. She said the county prevents any doses from going unused by opening the vaccine one vial at a time after 2 p.m., thus ensuring unused doses can still be stored properly after each mass vaccinatio