OVIEDO, Fla. — Seminole County plans to expand its vaccination operation by moving to a former Sears store as a distribution site starting Friday at the Oviedo Mall.
The Sears has four times the space the site the county had been using in the mall.
What You Need To Know
- COVD vaccination site at Oviedo Mall moving to old Sears store site
- The new site has four times the space of current location, officials say
- The number of vaccinations provided still depends upon the supply received
- So far, Seminole health officials have vaccinated about 13,000 people
Seminole County’s health department has vaccinated more than 13,000 people, the county indicated. About 700 vaccinations a day have been administered at the existing mall site.
Once the Sears site is fully operational, that number is expected to increase, officials said.
“As long as we receive the vaccine, yes, we will be able to fulfill a lot of wishes,” Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said.
Vaccinations continued Thursday at the original mall location, but not everyone was able to get an appointment.
“It's hard. I am 68, and she is 80. I am trying,” Israel Niebes said. “It's a very frustrating process.”
Niebes said he has tried scheduling an appointment since the minute the vaccine was available.
“I check for the website which they provide, and I am trying,” he said.
Niebes remains hopeful that the new site may help him get the vaccine, he said.
County officials encourage those still trying to get an appointment to continue to do so. They are hoping to get more doses of the vaccine, and until they do, they said sometimes people with appointments do not show up for their vaccinations, which allows the county to increase appointments.