The Florida A&M University (FAMU) COVID-19 vaccination site targeted toward underserved communities will now open Thursday, February 25.
The later opening is the result of a delay in the arrival of Moderna vaccines from Memphis, Tennessee, University officials said. Winter snowstorms have caused disruption in the shipment of goods across the country.
“We’re waiting for the additional vaccines to be delivered,” said FAMU Student Health Services Director Tanya Tatum. Florida Department of Emergency Management (DEM) officials notified University staff of the delay Tuesday, she said.
The vaccination site for those 65 and over will occupy the main level of the Al Lawson Gym & Multipurpose Center, 1800 Wahnish Way.
Run and staffed by DEM in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health-Leon County, the site will operate from 9 a.m. to noon, seven days a week and distribute up to 200 vaccine doses daily for the first four weeks. Later, the site is expected to expand to 400 doses per day.
Those visiting the free vaccination site are asked to bring an ID to verify their birthday. A registration link and contact phone number for the site is expected to be available soon, Tatum said.
The site is being opened as the state seeks to ramp up vaccine operations and combat growing vaccine hesitancy and skepticism among African Americans and other communities of color.
“We are trying to do some targeted outreach to the Southside community and also some of our other underserved communities,” Tatum said.
