x
Breaking News
More () »

Need a COVID vaccine? Tampa's FEMA site has hundreds of them

The vaccine site at the Tampa Greyhound Track never reached max capacity this weekend.

TAMPA, Fla. — Hundreds of COVID-19 vaccine doses at the area's new, federally-run distribution site at the Tampa Greyhound Track weren't claimed over the weekend.

That means appointment availability remained open Saturday and Sunday, and appointments are still available.

The track site, located at 755 E. Waters Ave., is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day and can administer up to 3,000 shots each day, according to FEMA. It's one of four federally-run mass vaccination sites across Florida.

On Saturday, the track site distributed 2,274 doses out of 3,000 available, FEMA told 10 Tampa Bay. On Sunday, the number was 2,544 doses.

Vaccine doses that are not distributed on any given day aren't given to just anyone at the end of the day, FEMA said. Rather, they are rolled over to the next day. 

Appointments can be made on myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling the phone number designated for your county. Walk-ups are accepted, but there isn't a guarantee a shot will be given without an appointment.

RELATED: What to know about Tampa's federal COVID-19 vaccine site

People can also sign-up for a vaccine dose at two Tampa Bay-area "satellite sites" operated by FEMA:

➡️ Hillsborough Community College - Brandon Campus
10451 Nancy Watkins Drive
Tampa, FL 33619
Operating March 7-10

➡️ Lake Maude Park
1751 7th St. NE.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Operating March 3-10 

The agency says both can distribute up to 500 vaccine doses each day and during the weekend, just like the track site, not all were claimed.

Eligibility at these sites follow the state guidelines, which includes the following groups of people: 

  • Long-term care facility residents and staff
  • Persons 65 years of age and older
  • Health care personnel with direct patients
  • K-12 school employees
  • Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of ages and older
  • Firefighters 50 years of age and older

People who are not listed in the above groups but are considered "extremely vulnerable" to COVID-19 must have a form filled out by their health care provider and brought to the vaccine site.

RELATED: Patients 'extremely vulnerable to COVID-19' will need this form to get a vaccine

RELATED: CDC updates guidance on vaccinated people as vaccine rollout causes mixed emotions

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that starting Monday, March 15, persons 60 years of age and older will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Florida.

What other people are reading right now:

►Breaking news and weather alerts: Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app

Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter

Before You Leave, Check This Out