Healthcare system opens program to patients 65+
Increases accessibility with an additional vaccination site
St. Petersburg, FL (January 13, 2021) – Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, and parent company, Orlando Health remain actively engaged in ensuring the COVID-19 vaccine is available and accessible to the communities they serve.
“Since launching our vaccination program in mid-December, we have administered 30,000 vaccines to team members, physicians, family members of team members and physicians over 65, first responders across the community, at risk patients over 65 and nursing home residents that hadn’t received vaccine,” said David Strong, president & CEO, Orlando Health. “I am so proud of our physicians and team members who have proven once again that excellence can be forged in the face of adversity. The dedication, expertise and passion they bring to Orlando Health and to our communities is deeply appreciated.”
Second doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered on January 11 and January 12, marking the first complete ‘fully vaccinated’ set of team members at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Beginning Wednesday, January 13, 2021, in keeping with Governor Ron DeSantis’ goal to vaccinate seniors, Bayfront Health St. Petersburg is expanding its vaccination eligibility to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg patients who are 65 or older. Due to the limited supply of vaccine, scheduling information will be communicated directly to those eligible through a phased selection process. Appointments will be first come, first served.
“The data regarding the impact this virus has on the senior population vs. a younger population is indisputable,” said Jamal Hakim, MD, chief operating officer, Orlando Health. “Someone who is 85 is 1,000 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than someone who is 25. We know vaccine demand is high and we are working diligently to acquire additional supplies. We will open and announce additional appointment availability as vaccine supply becomes available.”
Also, effective Wednesday, Bayfront Health St. Petersburg is increasing accessibility to the vaccine by adding an additional vaccination site. Eligible individuals may make an appointment for their first vaccine dose at any of the following two sites:
- Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, 701 6th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Bayfront Health St. Petersburg Emergency Room – Pinellas Park, 3070 Grand Ave., Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Site selection is based on availability at the time of scheduling. The vaccine being provided is the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which requires two doses spaced 4 weeks apart. After scheduling the first dose, participants will be emailed a link to schedule their second dose. Those who receive the vaccine should plan to remain in the post-vaccination observation area for up to 30 minutes.
Prior to vaccination, a review of product-specific safety information and consent will be required. A form of identification, such as a driver’s license, is required at the time of the appointment. Additional information on the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be found athttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html.
Individuals who have already received an initial dose of the vaccine in a hospital setting and who now need to schedule their second dose, will be provided with vaccination site information by Orlando Health.
About Orlando Health
Orlando Health, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $6.8 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States.
Founded more than 100 years ago, the healthcare system is recognized around the world for its pediatric and adult Level One Trauma program as well as the only state-accredited Level Two Adult Trauma Center in Pinellas County. It is the home of the nation’s largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, the only system in the southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health is a statutory teaching system that pioneers life-changing medical research. The 3,200-bed system includes 15 wholly-owned hospitals and emergency departments; rehabilitation services, cancer and heart institutes, imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, physician offices for adults and pediatrics, skilled nursing facilities, an in-patient behavioral health facility, home healthcare services in partnership with LHC Group, and urgent care centers in partnership with CareSpot Urgent Care. Nearly 4,200 physicians, representing more than 80 medical specialties and subspecialties have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which employs nearly 22,000 team members. In FY19, Orlando Health served nearly 150,000 inpatients and nearly 2.7 million outpatients. During that same time period, Orlando Health provided more than $760 million in total value to the communities it serves in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more. Additional information can be found at http://www.orlandohealth.com.
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