UPDATE: Although the large FEMA-operated, COVID vaccination site on West Campus has closed, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is currently operating a small mobile vaccination site on West Campus in Lot F. The site is offering first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine for individuals ages 12 and up. The site is open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Tuesday, June 15, 2021. No appointments are necessary.
On Feb. 19, state and federal officials announced that Valencia College’s West Campus will serve as the location for one of four federally-operated COVID-vaccination sites in the state of Florida.
The West Campus COVID vaccination center, which is located at 1800 S. Kirkman Road in Orlando, will open on March 3 and will operate 7 days per week, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. The vaccination center will remain open until May 25, the last day vaccinations will be available at West Campus.
The vaccines are free and no appointments are necessary.
In making the announcement, White House COVID-19 Senior Advisor Andy Slavitt said the federal vaccine sites were determined using a range of criteria, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index created to identify and map communities most likely to need support during a national crisis. The index takes into consideration socioeconomic status, household composition, minority status, languages, housing type and transportation.
“At Valencia College, we are honored to support the federal and state efforts to vaccinate Central Floridians, particularly those in vulnerable communities,” said Paul Rooney, assistant vice president of operations at Valencia College.
In addition to the primary location, each FEMA community vaccination center will operate two smaller, mobile satellite sites that will conduct 500 vaccinations per day in underserved areas. Through this model, the West Campus vaccination center and its two satellite sites will offer 3,000 vaccinations per day.
The community vaccination centers are opening through a partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Defense, the Florida Department of Health, Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida National Guard.
Currently, the FEMA vaccination site at Valencia College is open for individuals ages 18 and up.
Lynx buses that stop on Valencia’s West Campus will provide drop-off service to a parking lot next to the vaccination site. Lynx bus routes number 21 and 37 serve the college’s West Campus. Senior citizens who need transportation to the West Campus vaccination site should call 311 to see if they qualify for a free ride from Lynx.
Please note that while Valencia’s West Campus will serve as the physical location for the community vaccination center, the college will not be involved in administering vaccinations or in the operation of the site.