UF Health St. JohnsAdministers Vaccines to Community-Based Front Line & 65+ Essential Workers

St. Augustine, Fla. – January 14, 2021 – In a continuing effort to fight the spread of COVID-19, UF Health St. Johns is administering a portion of its vaccine allotment to first responders and other essential workers in alignment with Federal Government and CDC guidelines for vaccine distribution. Recipients include St. Johns County Sherriff’s deputies, community-based health care clinic employees, St. Johns County School District staff aged 65+ and other at-risk essential workers.

“We know that mass vaccination is key to stopping the spread of COVID-19. With a limited vaccine supply, we established a plan to achieve the greatest reach and also protect some of the most vulnerable, in alignment with federal and CDC guidelines. Setting a priority to protect our law enforcement, at-risk school district employees, and area health care workers was determined to be the best use of resources at this time,” commented UF Health St. JohnsPresident and CEO Jason Barrett. “We know the general public is anxious to receive vaccines. We have applied to receive more and stand at the ready to help vaccinate the broader community should we have the opportunity.”

UF Health St. Johnsreceived 1,950 vaccines in late December and has vaccinated close to 1,300 employees and area physicians. The organization received its shipment of second doses for those individuals on Tuesday. This week, the enterprise is focused on administering internal second doses and beginning community-based first doses, which will total more than 2,000 doses delivered.

“We appreciate the community partnership that we have with UF Health St. Johnsand all that they do for our county,” stated St. Johns County Sherriff Rob Hardwick. “Our men and women are on the forefront of this pandemic every day. We are thankful UF Health St. Johnshas included us in their vaccination rollout and we are pleased to work with them in getting a portion of our personnel vaccinated.”

“To know that our dedicated employees over the age of 65, who have continued to serve our children throughout this pandemic, now have this added layer of protection is incredibly gratifying,” added St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson. “We are fortunate to have a true partner in Flagler Health+.”

The UF Health St. Johnsvaccination clinics, staffed by internal employees and credentialed volunteers are able to vaccinate approximately 400-600 people per day. Vaccines currently being administered are manufactured by Pfizer, which can only be stored onsite due to temperature requirements. For updates regarding St. Johns County's COVID-19 vaccination program, please visit www.sjcfl.us/coronavirusvaccinations or text SJCVACCINE to 888777.