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■ Where in Central Florida to get COVID-19 vaccine.
The number of COVID-19 vaccination sites in Central Florida is growing rapidly as federal, state and county governments, retail pharmacies, employers and houses of worship join the effort. Who’s eligible for the vaccine can vary from site to site, and the rules have changed several times in just the past week. Starting Monday, March 15, vaccine eligibility will expand to include all Florida residents ages 60 to 64.
We have compiled a list of vaccination sites across Central Florida that will be updated frequently. (Latest update: March 12.)
Also, on Friday, the state created a contact email for homebound seniors to register for the COVID-19 vaccine to be brought directly to them. To request vaccination, email HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com.
Just about anyone seeking a vaccination will need to provide documentation of being a Florida resident. Examples of accepted documentation include a valid Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card or any two of the following:
A deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental or lease agreement.
A utility hookup or work order that is not more than 2 months old or a utility bill that is not more than 2 months old.
Mail from a bank or other financial institution — including checking, savings, or investment account statements — that is not more than 2 months old.
Mail from a government agency, such as a tax bill showing a Florida address, that is not more than 2 months old.
Caution: Beware of scams. Do not fill out Eventbrite vaccine registration forms unless they are provided through a county’s website or the links in this list, and do not register for a vaccination appointment that requires payment. However, some providers ask for insurance information.
All Counties in Central Florida
Depending on location, some or all of these store pharmacies are offering COVID vaccinations. Check each company’s their websites for appointment information.
CVS — cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine Publix — publix.com/covidvaccine
Sam’s Club — samsclub.com/covid
Winn Dixie — winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine Walmart — walmart.com/covidvaccine
Walgreens — walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19
Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER, 9800 International Drive, Orlando: This is a drive-through site, with appointments required through the state vaccine portal. (Walk-ups are not accepted.) The site can offer up to 3,000 vaccinations a day.
Who’s eligible: Full- or part-time Florida residents who are age 65 and up (60 and up starting Monday); long-term health care facility residents and staff (any age); healthcare professionals with direct patient contact (any age); all educators and staff in schools, colleges, licensed day care centers (any age) or recognized after-school or Head Start programs; sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (all ages); extremely vulnerable or high-risk people (any age adult, but must have required state form signed by doctor).
Hours: Vary, based on appointments.
VALENCIA COLLEGE’S WEST CAMPUS, 1800 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando: This FEMA site is run through a federal-state partnership offering vaccines to both walk-up patients and those with appointments through the state vaccine portal. Who’s eligible: Florida residents age 65 and up; long-term health care facility residents and staff (any age); healthcare professionals with direct patient contact (any age); all educators and staff in schools, colleges or licensed day cares (any age); sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (50 and older); extremely medical vulnerable or high-risk people (any age adult, but must have required state form signed by doctor).
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
BARNETT PARK GYM FEMA SATELLITE SITE, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando: This is a FEMA-run drive-through site accepting only walk-up patients (no appointments are taken).
Who’s eligible: Florida residents age 65 and up; long-term health care facility residents and staff (any age); healthcare professionals with direct patient contact (any age); all educators and staff in schools, colleges or licensed day cares (any age); sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (50 and older); extremely medical vulnerable or high-risk people (any age, but must have required state form signed by doctor).
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 13.
SOUTH ECON PARK GYM FEMA SATELLITE SITE, 3850 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando: This is a FEMA-run drive-through site accepting only walk-up patients (no appointments are taken).
Who’s eligible: Florida residents age 65 and up; long-term health care facility residents and staff (any age); healthcare professionals with direct patient contact (any age); all educators and staff in schools, colleges or licensed day cares (any age); sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (50 and older); extremely medical vulnerable or high-risk people (any age, but must have required state form signed by doctor).
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 14-17.
Note: A previously announced FEMA site at the South Trail branch of the Orlando County Library System, which had been scheduled to open Saturday, March 13, has been postponed. SCHOOL EMPLOYEE VACCINE EVENT, Colonial High School on Oleander Drive in Orlando; East River High School on East River Falcons Way in Orlando; Freedom High School on West Taft-Vineland Road in Orlando; Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, and Ocoee High School on
Ocoee Crown Point Parkway in Ocoee: Each site will offer 500 vaccines a day on first-come, first-served basis.
Who’s eligible: The Orange County School District says all employees of Orange County Public Schools as well as employees of charter and private school employee are welcome.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14. ORLANDO VA MEDICAL CENTER, 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando: This is a VA-run site, located in the fourth-floor auditorium of the Lake Nona facility. Appointments and walkins are welcome. To schedule, call 407-631-0499 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Who’s eligible: All enrolled and eligible veterans regardless of age.
Hours: Usually, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for appointments; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for walk-ins, but next week’s schedule is not yet posted.
LAKE BALDWIN VA CLINIC, 5201 Raymond St., Orlando: This is a VA-run site, located in Auditorium B of the facility. Appointments and walk-ins are welcome. To schedule, call 407-631-0499.
Who’s eligible: All enrolled and eligible veterans regardless of age.
Hours: Usually, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for appointments; 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for walk-ins, but the VA has not posted next week’s schedule yet.
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, Pegasus Ballroom: This is a vaccine site for UCF employees only. The school has enough for 2,340 workers. Appointments are required. Who’s eligible: All UCF employees,regardless of age, as long as vaccine is available.
Appointments: Go to ucf.edu/coronavirus/ to schedule. MORE INFORMATION: Visit ocfl.net/Vaccine for registration information, call 1-844-770-8548 or e-mail COVID19Support@cdrmaguire.com. Residents trying to get an appointment are encouraged to preregister. Seniors who lack transportation may qualify for a free ride from LYNX. You must have a scheduled appointment at the Orange County Convention Center before calling 407-8363111 to request a scheduled ride.
Seminole County
OVIEDO MALL, 1360 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, Oviedo (enter from the parking lot closest to District Eat & Play): This is an appointment-only site. Appointments are currently booked for March 15-20, but check back in case of cancellations. For technical assistance in booking appointments call 407-665-0000.
Who’s eligible: People 60 and older, long-term care residents and staff, health-care workers with direct patient contact, employees of educational institutions, sworn law-enforcement officers and fire fighters age 50 and older; and people with approved documentation from a physician deeming them to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Hours: Vary, based on appointments.
MORE INFORMATION: New appointments for the Oviedo Mall vaccine site will be posted to PrepareSeminole.org’s vaccine section each Tuesday, pending vaccines are received in order to guarantee appointments for the following week. Eventbrite, the appointment system utilized by Seminole County, has a feature to “follow” events created by Seminole County to receive notification if cancellations result in available appointments. To “follow” events, visit PrepareSeminole.org, click on appointment links, and look for the blue “follow” button at the top right of the page. There is no wait list for appointments; residents should continue to check PrepareSeminole.org for updates. The Seminole County Citizen Information Hotline is available to assist Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 407-665-0000. Text COVID19INFO to 888-777 to opt-in for alerts from Seminole County Emergency Management related to COVID-19.
Lake County
LAKE SQUARE MALL, 10401 US-441, Leesburg: This is a state-supported vaccination site with appointments required through the state vaccine portal. (Walk-ups are not accepted.)
Who’s eligible: Florida residents or part-time residents age 60 and up starting Monday, Macrh 15; long-term care facility residents and staff (any age); health-care professionals with direct patient contact; K-12 school staff; sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (age 50 or older); extremely medical vulnerable or high-risk people (any age, but must have required state form signed by doctor).
Hours: Vary, based on appointments.
ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6803 Old Hwy. 441, Mt. Dora: Open Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for first and second doses on a first-come, first-served basis and Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. for scheduled appointments for groups and second-doses only. AMAZON DISTRIBUTION SITE, 7453 Republic Drive, Groveland — Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for first and second doses on a first-come, first-served basis. Schedules are based on vaccine availability. Dates and times are subject to change.
ORLANDO HEALTH - SOUTH LAKE HOSPITAL, 1900 Don Wickham Dr, Clermont.: This is an appointment-only site run by Orlando Health, which is offering vaccines for eligible persons when supplies become available. Call (877) 321-2684 for more information or to make an appointment.
Who’s eligible: Florida residents or part-time residents age 65 and up; long-term health care facility residents and staff (any age); health-care professionals with direct patient contact); K-12 school staff; sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (age 50 or older); extremely medical vulnerable or high-risk people (any age, but must have required state form signed by doctor).
Hours: Vary, based on appointments.
MORE INFORMATION: Lake residents can call 1-833-5402052, text COVIDUPDATE to 888777 or visit lake.florida.gov. Residents can preregister to be notified when immunization appointments are available by visiting myvaccine.fl.gov or calling 866-201-6909 (or 833-476-1031 for TTY users). Once available, individuals will be contacted by phone call, text or email and will be assisted in scheduling an appointment. Persons currently ineligible to receive an immunization appointment may sign up for email updates when the state criteria changes.
Osceola County
CENTRO CRISTIANO DIOS DE PACTOS CHURCH, 1130 Simmons Road, Kissimmee: This is an appointment-only site with preregistration required through the state vaccine portal or by calling or call 866-201-6507. Residents will be contacted by the county’s vendor to schedule their first dose appointment; the Health Department will schedule the second dose.
Who’s eligible: Florida residents or part-time residents age 65 and up; long-term health care facility residents and staff (any age); health-care professionals with direct patient contact); K-12 school staff; sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (age 50 or older); extremely medical vulnerable or high-risk people (any age, but must have required state form signed by doctor).
Hours: Vary, based on appointments.
MORE INFORMATION: Residents who are 65 and older, who have obtained an appointment for a COVID-19 shot and do not have a way to transport themselves to the Osceola County vaccine site (Centro Cristiano Dios De Pactos Church) can call 407-742-0000 between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MondayFriday to find out how to qualify for a ride. Lynx needs at least a 48 hour prior notice to schedule a ride through the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Since the OEM does not operate on weekends, any ride needed for a Saturday or Monday, must be made the prior Thursday at the latest. The county also is partnering with Prescriptions Unlimited in St. Cloud to provide vaccinations to homebound patients 65 years and older and home health providers. Providers seeking vaccinations for their staff or patients may call 407892-7166 or email covid19@unlimitedrx.com to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required.
For more information, see osceola.floridahealth.gov/.
Volusia County
VOLUSIA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, 3150 E New York Ave, DeLand: This is a state-supported vaccination site with appointments required through the state vaccine portal at myvaccine.fl.gov or 866-201-7314. (Walk-ups are not accepted.)
Who’s eligible: Florida residents or part-time residents age 65 and up (60 and up starting Monday); long-term health care facility residents and staff (any age); health-care professionals with direct patient contact); K-12 school staff; sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (age 50 or older); extremely medical vulnerable or high-risk people (any age, but must have required state form signed by doctor). Hours: Vary, based on appointments.
DAYTONA BEACH VA CLINIC, 551 National Health Care Dr, Daytona Beach: This is a VA-run facility. Shots by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 407-6310499 Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Who’s eligible: All enrolled veterans 65 years old and older, frontline essential workers, and veterans with underlying medical conditions as determined by the CDC.
Hours: Vary, based on appointments.
MORE INFORMATION: For the latest information regarding COVID-19 in Volusia County, visit Volusia.org/coronavirus.
Brevard County
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH, 300 Barefoot Blvd, Sebastian: This temporary site will provide 1,000 Johnson and Johnson vaccines a day on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There was no additional information provided about how to make an appointment or whether the site will accept walk-ups.
Who’s eligible: Florida residents 65 and older.
Hours: Saturday 9-11 a.m., Sunday noon to 7 p.m. and Monday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
VIERA VA HEALTH CARE CENTER, 2900 Veterans Way, Melbourne: This is a VA-run site drive-up facility. Shots by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 407-6310499 Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Who’s eligible: All enrolled veterans 65 years old and older, frontline essential workers, and veterans with underlying medical conditions as determined by the CDC.
Hours: Vary, based on appointments.
MORE INFORMATION: Individuals can preregister for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting https://myvaccine. fl.gov or by calling 866-201-5420 or TTY (Teletypewriter) 833-476-1525. More information is also available at brevard. floridahealth.gov.
Polk County
STATE OPERATED SITES: The county is continuing to use its own vaccination enrollment process at https://register. polk.health rather than the statewide registration system. Enrollments can be made online or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center at 863-298-7500. Appointment availability is based on the supply of vaccine. The shots are administered by appointment only at 1290 Golfview Ave, Bartow.
Who’s eligible: Florida residents or part-time residents age 65 and up; long-term health care facility residents and staff (any age); health-care professionals with direct patient contact); K-12 school staff; sworn law enforcement officers or firefighters (age 50 or older); extremely medical vulnerable or high-risk people (any age, but must have required state form signed by doctor).
MORE INFORMATION: Polk County runs a COVID-10 Vaccine Call Center Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 863-298-7500.
Bruce and Shawn Chait, a father-son development team at the center of one of Broward County’s biggest corruption scandals, have been charged with harassing and extorting the owner of the property that landed them in trouble more than a decade ago.
The Chaits are in the Broward Main Jail, each charged with six counts of extortion, two counts of racketeering and one count of organized fraud. Prosecutors say they carried out a plan to ruin the current owner unless they were paid more than $3 million.
The owner called authorities, who secretly recorded the Chaits implicating themselves as recently as last week.
Also charged were Harris Neil Shapiro, 38, of Margate, and John James Colonel, 33, of Fort Lauderdale.
The Chaits’ earlier history of bribes led to a corruption scandal that saw a county commissioner imprisoned and political careers from School Board to City Hall maimed or destroyed.
Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion was convicted in 2009 after confessing to taking $28,200 worth of bribes from the Chaits.
Others charged in connection with the Chaits’ corruption included then-Tamarac Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco,
Commissioner Patte AtkinsGrad and former Broward School Board member Stephanie Kraft.
Bruce Chait and his son accepted a plea deal in exchange for probation and their testimony against the elected officials, but in the cases against Kraft, AtkinsGrad and Talabisco, their testimony appeared to backfire.
None was convicted of the most serious charges they faced. (Kraft was found guilty of official misconduct for skipping out on a vote instead of announcing she had a conflict of interest — the Chaits had hired her husband as a consultant.)
But the scandal and others at the time led to passage of a countywide Code of Ethics and
embroiled Broward in corruption controversy for years. One commissioner at the time called the Chaits “two of the most despicable people I think that have walked into this chamber in the years I’ve been here.’’
The pair’s wrongdoing was tied to the planned development of Prestige Homes, which would have replaced two golf courses with 732 single-family homes and townhouses, a proposal that drew opposition from residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.
After the Prestige scandals subsided, the Tamarac property went to another developer, Arnaud Karsenti.
According to a report filed with the clerk of courts, the
Chaits plagued Karsenti and his company, 13th Floor Investments, with false allegations about environmental hazards on the property, even paying for the down payment on a home on behalf of a friend and golf partner who sued Karsenti and claimed the property had unsafe levels of arsenic.
The Chaits sent multiple anonymous letters to county officials, including Broward County Environmental employees, making similar fraudulent claims about the property, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Prosecutors say the Chaits were motivated by jealousy over losing their hold on the valuable property. From April 2013 through August 2015, 13th Floor paid the Chaits $500,000 to ward off claims of environmental hazards, according to prosecutors.
Earlier this month, Shawn Chait met with the victim, unaware he was being monitored by law enforcement, according to the report. Chait is accused of asking the victim for $3.4 million in exchange for having allegations of environmental issues dropped.
“These criminals were on a path to destroy the victim’s reputation as well as his business by spreading lies about the land and the victim’s development,” FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said in a written statement.
Bail for each of the Chaits was set at $10.5 million.
Host Elizabeth Vargas on the set of“America’s Most Wanted.”
NEW YORK — In a clip from the premiere of Fox’s fresh take on “tAmerica’s Most Wanted,” a series where viewers are told about crimes in the hope of leading to an arrest, new host Elizabeth Vargas examines a 3D avatar of a suspect who appears to be standing next to her on set.
“Standing next to him you can learn a lot,” said Vargas, circling the likeness of a male. “One of the first things, he’s on the tall side.”
Vargas said these renderings are actually far more specific.
“Our viewers can see distinctive tattoos or scars or moles or even, for example, a distinctive way of walking,” said the host in a recent interview.
Vargas, who covered countless crimes in past jobs including hosting ABC’s “World News Tonight” and “20/20,” said she “couldn’t be more excited” for this opportunity to help close the loop on some of these cases.
“We used to get a lot of viewer reaction but we weren’t set up to handle any of those tips. I mean, what we just did was call up the detective on the case and say, ‘Let me forward this to you,’ ” she said. “Now I get to tell the stories and ask the audience for help.”
The series will also take advantage of the advancements in DNA research. “With all these people on DNA database and the fact that law enforcement can figure out if the DNA at a crime scene . ... It’s extraordinary.”
“America’s Most Wanted” was previously hosted by John Walsh, who became a victims rights advocate after his 6-yearold son, Adam, was kidnapped and murdered in 1981. It aired on Fox for 25 seasons before its cancellation in 2011. It was then picked up by Lifetime for a short run.
The show helped to capture more than 1,100 criminals — including 17 on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. It’s also helped reunite 43 missing children with their families. Walsh released a statement in January that capturing criminals and finding missing children was his life’s work and he was excited about and in support of the show’s revival.
Vargas said this iteration will highlight crimes of all kinds.
“We have lots of different kinds of cases. We want to provide a variety of cases in a variety of situations in which our viewers can help us.”
The audience will also have options for contacting the show thanks to cellphones and social media.
“Viewers will be able to instantaneously call us or text us, but also reach us on these platforms,” Vargas said. Viewers can send in photos and videos they can quickly send to law enforcement: “We’re really excited by all the tools that the explosion in technology has provided us in the last 10 years.” “America’s Most Wanted” premieres Monday, March 15, at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox.
Dear Readers: Every year during this time I step away from my column to work on other creative projects. I hope you enjoy these (edited) “Best Of ” Q&As from 10 years ago. Today’s topic is: birthday bashes.
I’ll be back with fresh columns in two weeks.
Dear Amy: We just celebrated my daughter’s first birthday with a wonderful party at a catering hall. We had live entertainment, food, an open bar for the adults, flowers, balloons, favors, you name it!
I spent months planning for this party to make it a perfect event. This is my third child, and every party has been a big event like this one.
My problem is rude guests. I had more than half of the party (20 families) respond several days past the RSVP date. They showed up one to two hours late with no apology, and some left early.
These guests took it upon themselves to sit wherever they wanted, even when I had place cards with assigned seating. As much as I love to throw parties for my children, in the end, I feel disappointed, insulted and used.
Should I stop having these parties, or should I continue doing what my children and I enjoy and ignore the rudeness?
— Frustrated Mother Dear Frustrated: It’s somewhat refreshing to learn that even in this tough economy there are still people who throw cotillions for 1-year-olds.
You need a reality check. You also need a reality show. If you had your own show, your guests’ rudeness — and your reaction — would be highlighted for the amusement of the rest of us.
Every time you host one of these extravaganzas you emerge with the same frustrations, so you should do an objective postmortem to figure out what you could do differently in order to have a different result.
I suggest that you adjust your expectations somewhat regarding timely RSVPs, consider doing away with your seating chart, and adjust the length of your event. Your only other option is to get different guests.
Dear Amy: It all started last year when a male co-worker had a birthday.
I decided to give him a gift. I wrapped it and surprised him with it. I was on my break, talking to my husband, when my friend walked in and waved a “thank you,” but later he asked me, “What’s the catch? Is it a re-gift? I want to see the receipt.”
I told him he was hurting my feelings and demanded the “gift” back. He refused to give it back and nonchalantly apologized for what he had said.
I went into his lunchbox without his knowledge and took the gift back.
The next day I got him a chocolate cake to make up for what I had done. I went to give it to him, and he rudely told me to leave.
You bet I took the cake! I ate it, too! It’s been a year since this happened, and we haven’t spoken since. What do you think?
— Curious Co-worker Dear Co-worker: People sometimes compare the workplace to high school. In your case, it’s more like kindergarten. You are not a grown-up. You are a thief. Consider yourself lucky your co-worker didn’t notify management (or security) when you went into his lunchbox.
You can assume he was embarrassed by your generosity when he made wisecracks about the gift you gave him. His behavior was rude. Your behavior afterward defies explanation.
Dear Amy: Every December, my son gets invited to his friend “Brian’s” birthday party. We always get him a gift that we know he will like.
I recently said to his mother that he must get a lot of presents in December with his birthday and Christmas so close together. She told me, “Oh, I have him choose half of his birthday presents to give to Toys for Tots. He only gets to keep half.”
I feel that not only am I funding her charitable donations, but also her parenting.
— Scrooged
Dear Scrooged: While it is possible that any gift you give any child could ultimately end up anywhere, this mother’s admission that they always give half of these gifts away was insensitive. The way she has arranged her charitable gesture is disingenuous and not fair to the young guests.
Copyright 2021 by Amy Dickinson