ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County opened a new vaccination location at Barnett Park, which has been previously used for COVID-19 testing.
Saturday marked the first day the site started offering the vaccine, in addition to testing.
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Debra Peluzzo was one of the first people to get the shot at the site after learning it was being offering at the park.
“We had received an email in the mail,” Peluzzo said.
Peluzzo said coming to the park was faster and more convenient, especially compared to when she previously got tested at the Orange County Convention Center.
“To be there, the convention center, I took maybe 40 minutes like driving, plus the three hours waiting in the line,” Peluzzo said. “Today was 15 minutes here, five minutes from my house. It was convenient, it was good. It was a good experience overall.”
Before, Barnett Park used to only offer testing, but the change comes as the county is starting to wind down operations at the mass vaccination site at the convention center.
County officials said they’re now focusing on smaller sites targeting communities.
At Barnett Park, officials on site told News 6 several lanes are offering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 16 and older. People under 18 will need a parent or guardian. Appointments are not required.
The county said it is offering 750 shots a day, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The county is still providing testing at Barnett Park through the end of the month.
David Tracy said he’s happy to roll up his sleeve and do his part to help bring an end to the pandemic.
“It’s just one of those where you look at it as you’re doing it for yourself, but mainly you want to look at it as you’re doing it for others,” Tracy said.
Beginning Tuesday, four more fixed sites within the community will also be offering up to 1,000 Pfizer doses a day. No appointment is needed and the sites will be available to all residents. The locations are:
- Goldenrod Park Recreation Center Gymnasium 4863 N Goldenrod Road, Winter Park
- Meadow Woods Recreation Center Gymnasium 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando
- South Econ Recreation Center Gymnasium 3850 S Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando
- West Orange Recreation Center Gymnasium 309 SW Crown Point Road, Winter Garden