JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Johnson & Johnson shots were given to nearly 170 qualifying adults Friday at a pop-up vaccination site in the parking lot of a Harvey’s grocery store on Moncrief Road.
The drive-thru vaccines were offered in partnership with Florida Blue. No appointments were necessary for anyone who was currently eligible under federal guidelines -- 60 years old and above, all school personnel, health care workers and others.
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News4Jax was told to expect more pop-up vaccination sites as part of efforts to get more people vaccinated, especially in underserved neighborhoods where there may be a reluctance to get the shot.
“We know what COVID is doing to communities of color and a way to solve that and to help folks come out of that is to be sure they have access to vaccines right here in their neighborhood,” said Dr. Kelli Tice Wells of Florida Blue.
Wells says some of those who turned out Friday had no way to get a site even a few miles away.
The fact that Gov. Ron DeSantis is lowering the minimum age to 50 starting Monday may not have much of an impact in this area
Harvey’s pharmacy manager Nicole Berry has personal contact with people in the neighborhood.
“I love to have a personal relationship with my customers,” Berry said. “I let them know that I am vaccinated. My staff is vaccinated. We’re all vaccinated and we have not had any issues. I help them to understand we are trying to cut down on these cases and the only way to do that is to make sure everyone is vaccinated.”