Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings urges everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine. (Screenshot from Orange TV’s YouTube)
ORLANDO | With the FDA giving full approval Aug. 23 to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings asked those who were hesitant in getting vaccinated to now reconsider.
“When the FDA makes approval for permanent use and it’s not an emergency use, they only get to that point when had looked at the science and the data,” Demings said in a press conference Aug. 23. “If you were one of the people who were sitting on the fence because of that — you should be getting off the fence at this point and getting vaccinated.”
Roughly 66% of Orange County residents ages 12 or older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Interim Director of Infectious Diseases, Alvina Chu says that there is a new age group that contributes the highest number of COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 22 — the 5-14 age group.
“One part is people getting back together,” said Chu. “As we have done such a great job vaccinating those who are older, what remains is the younger unvaccinated population.”
A new drive-thru testing site is now open at the former Clarcona Elementary School in Apopka — the new site offers both the PCR and swab rapid antigen test — with the Barnett Park and Econ Soccer Complex testing sites also still open to residents. For more information, residents are asked to visit Apopka.net/AlertCenter. The #IGotMyShot mobile vaccination trailer is still making its way across Orange County, it will be at the Jim Beach Recreation Center Aug. 24 as well as at Lake Eola and the West Oaks Mall Aug. 25. More dates and locations on available on their website.
Camping World Stadium continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations — no appointment necessary — giving residents the choice between Moderna or Pfizer. Director of the Health Services Department, Yolanda Martinez said, since the opening of the vaccination site at Camping World Stadium Aug. 10, over 1,500 residents have received the vaccine — over 50% being first doses.
FREE drive-thru COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites:
Clarcona Elementary School – Testing only
3607 Damon Road, Apopka, FL 32703
Monday-Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Econ Soccer Complex – Testing only
8035 Yates Road, Orlando 32807
Monday–Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Barnett Park – Testing Only
4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Monday–Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Camping World Stadium
1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando, FL 32805
Monday–Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is encouraged through the CDR Maguire Patient Portal at PatientPortalFL.com prior to arrival at the testing sites.
Watch the full Orange County press conference below.
