JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The qualifications to get COVID-19 vaccine shots at the state-run Regency Square Mall vaccination site will change Wednesday, the Florida Association of Public Information Officers said.
The change comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Monday that will allow state and federal vaccination sites and retail pharmacies to begin vaccinating school employees, law enforcement officers and firefighters age 50 and older, in addition to people age 65 and older and frontline health care workers.
Over the last two weeks, the Regency site has let seniors and health care workers walk up and get vaccinated. Beginning Wednesday, according to the association, the site will offer shots to school employees, law enforcement officers and firefighters age 50 -- no appointment necessary. People in those groups will also be allowed to walk up at the federal Gateway Mall vaccination site.
For second-dose shots at the Regency site, appointments will not be needed, but people must wait at least 19 days after getting their first shot to get their second shot.
People are asked to bring proof of employment, like a school badge or work ID, when they arrive at the site to receive the vaccine.
Appointments can also be made by calling 1-866-200-3762 or visiting myvaccine.fl.gov.
State of FL @FLSERT Regency Mall #COVID19 Vaccination Site in Jacksonville, FL.
— Florida Association of Public Information Officers (@FloridaPIOs) March 2, 2021
Wednesday, 03/02/21:
1st dose: Regency will be open to anyone that meets the new criteria without an appt.
2nd dose: No appt needed. Must be 19 days or more since your first dose at Regency. pic.twitter.com/PuBr4OT3vI
There was some confusion over who qualifies as school personnel. In particular, the union representing hundreds of Duval County school bus drivers wanted to know if bus drivers qualify.
“They have just as much risk of exposure as a teacher in the classroom, if not more, because of the closed space,” said Rebecca Cardona, the business agent for Local 512, a union representing bus drivers for Duval County Public Schools.
In an email to News4Jax, the Florida Department of Emergency Management said: School bus drivers, including those employed by third-party companies “will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a state-supported vaccination site and the federally-supported sites opening tomorrow.”
The department went on to say: “The state is working to update the myvaccine.fl.gov website so individuals who fall into these populations can preregister their information and be proactively contacted to schedule an appointment. This update should be finalized by tomorrow morning.”
According to DCPS, approximately 20 bus drivers were reported as quarantined or out of work due to COVID-19 since the start of the school year. As of Tuesday after, there were 577 cases of COVID-19 reported among DCPS staff members. In Clay County, longtime bus driver Gail Brusseau died from COVID-19 complications a few weeks into the school year.