Orlando Health further expands COVID-19 vaccination program

Orlando, FL (January 10, 2021) – Orlando Health remains actively engaged in ensuring the COVID-19 vaccine is available and accessible to the communities it serves.  

“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.”

Beginning Monday, January 11, in keeping with Governor Ron DeSantis’ goal to vaccinate seniors, Orlando Health is expanding its vaccination eligibility to Orlando Health patients who are 65 or older. Due to the limited supply of vaccine, scheduling information will be communicated directly to those eligible through a randomization 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 Monday, Orlando Health is increasing accessibility to the vaccine by moving the vaccination sites out of its hospitals and into the community. Eligible individuals may make an appointment for their first vaccine dose at any of the following six sites:

• Orlando Health Emergency Room – Lake Mary, 380 Rinehart Rd., Lake Mary, FL 32746
• Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – Summerport, 5151 Winter Garden Vineland Rd., Windermere, FL 34787
• Orlando Health – Health Central Park – Winter Garden, 411 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL 34787
• Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – St. Cloud, 1330 Budinger Ave., St. Cloud, FL 34769
• Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute – Downtown Orlando, 1222 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32806
• Orlando Health South Lake Hospital Emergency Room – Blue Cedar, 22316 US Highway 27, Leesburg, FL 34748

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 at https://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.