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The St. Cloud vaccination site will be open through Friday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Individuals can pre-register on-line at commvax.patientportalfl.com.
As part of a statewide initiative to increase outreach to minority communities, Osceola County’s first “Spoke Site” opened Wednesday at the St. Cloud Civic Center. The site can provide up to 500 doses a day to area residents.
No appointment is needed, but individuals still need to be in one of the qualified groups identified by the Governor’s Executive Order, including K-12 school employees, sworn law enforcement and firefighters (50 years and older). The St. Cloud site will be open through Friday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Individuals can pre-register on-line at commvax.patientportalfl.com.
The county is working with FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management to utilize the Mary Jane Arrington Gym and Aquatic Center as the “Spoke Site” for next week. This site will be open Friday, March 10-13, also from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
“I’m glad that Osceola was selected to serve as a FEMA Spoke location for two months to help better increase our outreach to minority areas in the county,” said Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “Osceola County has been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic for a year now and we’ve done everything possible for residents and businesses with millions of dollars in assistance awarded. Now, making sure our residents have access to the vaccine is our top priority. I’m confident that better days are ahead for us.”
The options to receive a vaccine are increasing. In addition to private pharmacies on a state list, Osceola County’s State supported Mini-Minority Mission that is targeted to the underserved and minority population in Kissimmee continues at Chambers Park from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 7 days a week. There is no appointment needed but those seeking vaccinations must still fall in the qualified groups of the executive order. This site is open for a two-month period ending on April 30th.
The Florida Department of Health in Osceola continues to operate a vaccination site at Centro Cristiano Dios De Pactos Church located at 1130 Simmons Road, Kissimmee. Appointments are required for these events. Florida residents may pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccination by visiting https://myvaccine.fl.gov/
For those with vaccine appointments but without transportation, LYNX has partnered to transport residents to this vaccine site for free. The Osceola County Office of Emergency Management is coordinating this service. Residents need to call 407-742-0000 between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week to schedule a ride. Allow a 48-hour notice to schedule a ride
Learn more about vaccinations at www.osceola.org/covid19vaccinations/ and testing at www.osceola.org/covid19testing/.
Other items relating to the county’s COVID-19 response:
· While other counties have announced the reopening of housing assistance programs, Osceola County never paused. To date, more than 2,400 families have been assisted with rent or mortgage payments, totaling nearly $15 million.
· In addition, we have used approximately $224,000 to pay utility bills.
· A total of 76 households completed the Eviction Diversion program, and our team is working with another 72 so they too can avoid evictions.
· Visit housing.osceola.org for more information on these programs.
·In support of businesses and non-profits negatively impacted by pandemic, the County has paid a total of $10.5 million in grant assistance.
·Also, with the Commercial Utility Program, we have committed more than $700,000 among four utility companies (KUA, TWA, OUC, and St. Cloud Utilities), to help nearly 600 businesses with past-due utility balances.
·If your business was negatively affected by the pandemic, visit the grant program at www.weveopenedsafely.com to find the information to get help.
