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Hillsborough County coronavirus and vaccination update
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The full release from Hillsborough County is below:
Number of Seniors Vaccinated Continues to Increase
COVID-19 coronavirus Update No. 277
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2021) – Hillsborough County’s successful Targeted Vaccine Area (TVA) initiative has played a crucial role in increasing the number of seniors who are receiving the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine, Hillsborough County commissioners heard today.
The TVA initiative is organized by Hillsborough County Aging Services, the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management, and the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. TVAs make the vaccine available directly to large groups of pre-identified residents age 65 and older in places where they live and socialize. The program has vaccinated individuals at senior homes, independent living communities, churches, and other areas throughout the county.
The full press release is below.
COVID-19 coronavirus Update No. 270
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2021) – The public COVID-19 coronavirus testing site at the University of South Florida’s main campus in north Tampa has reopened.
Testing there was temporarily suspended in November as campus operations transitioned through the holidays. The site is located in the parking lot adjacent to the USF Health Therapy (MDT) building, 3515 E. Fletcher Ave., and is open three days a week.
In addition to drive-thru testing, the USF location can accommodate people who arrive on foot or by bicycle. Appointments are required and can be made by going to HCFLGov.net/COVIDTesting. To make an appointment by phone, call (888) 513-6321 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For many Hillsborough County residents over 65, getting an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine has not been easy. Some faced 6-hour wait times on the phones while others said the online portal kicked them off after multiple attempts.
After last week’s difficulties, Hillsborough is changing the way seniors can sign up beginning Tuesday.
Hillsborough County’s vaccine rollout got off to a rough start last week with crashing websites, jammed phone lines and sites quickly reaching full capacity.
Since then, the health department has received another shipment containing 9,000 doses of the vaccine. People age 65 and older can sign up beginning Tuesday.
In an effort to streamline the process, seniors can only register for an appointment during a designated timeframe specific to their age group. The online portal and the call center won t allow for scheduling outside of specific age windows.