COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Check with your pharmacy or other provider.

Vaccine appointments are widely available at pharmacies and there are also walk-up vaccines available at the federal site at the Tampa Dog Track.

All Florida residents 12 and older.

There are several transportation options available.

PSTA currently offers FREE bus service to several drop-off locations near vaccine sites within Pinellas County.  Check out https://www.psta.net/riding-psta/psta-coronavirus-response/ for a route convenient to you.  PSTA buses are limited to 15 passengers plus two mobility device passengers to allow for social distancing. Masks are required for all PSTA riders.

Neighborly offers free rides to adults 60 and over for medical appointments including vaccines. Visit https://neighborly.org/transportation/ to register. The medical appointment must be within 10 miles of your home, and you must book a ride at least two days in advance of the appointment. Anyone needing wheelchair assistance must book at least a week in advance. Rides are available from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. For more information visit https://neighborly.org/ or call (727) 573-9444.

The Area Agency on Aging helps Pinellas seniors find free or low cost local transportation via their Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.

If you have Medicaid, you can get a free ride to and from your vaccine appointment. Once your shot is scheduled, call your health plan provider to get the name and phone number for your transportation service. If you are not in a health plan, call the Medicaid help line at 1-877-254-1055 to be connected with a transportation service.

You should schedule your ride at least three business days before your appointment, and be prepared to provide the following information: full name; Medicaid identification number; addresses of pickup and drop off locations; date of birth; name of health plan (if you are enrolled in one); date and time of your appointment; and your phone number.

You may have someone travel with you if it is medically necessary. Be sure to call the transportation service if your appointment is canceled or rescheduled.

Most pharmacies require appointments, but the federal vaccination site at the Tampa Greyhound Track is accepting walk-ups with no appointment.

The Florida Department of Health requires that vaccines go either to Florida seasonal or full-time residents or to individuals in Florida for the purpose of providing health care services directly to patients as per the State Surgeon General Public Health Advisory. There is not a county residency requirement.

Residents must show either a Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card to receive the vaccine.

If you do not have a Florida driver’s license or ID card, but you are a seasonal or part-time resident who resides here for at least 31 consecutive days, you must provide any TWO of the following to show proof of address:

• Deed
• Mortgage, monthly mortgage statement or mortgage payment booklet
• Residential rental or lease agreement
• Proof of residential address from a parent, step-parent, legal guardian or other person with whom you seasonally reside, and a statement from that person confirming your residency.
• Utility bill*
• Utility hook-up work order*
• Mail from financial institution (checking, savings or investment account statement)*
• Mail from local, state or federal government*

*Cannot be more than 2 months old

Many Publix, CVS, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Walgreens pharmacies in Pinellas County are offering vaccine appointments. Appointments can only be made at these stores’ respective websites. All patients will be required to show proof of Florida residency. Appointment times will only be visible when appointments are available.

You are eligible to get the vaccine if you reside in the state for at least 31 consecutive days and can provide TWO of the following to show proof of address:
• Deed
• Mortgage, monthly mortgage statement or mortgage payment booklet
• Residential rental or lease agreement
• Proof of residential address from a parent, step-parent, legal guardian or other person with whom you seasonally reside
• Utility bill*
• Utility hook-up work order within past 60 days
• Mail from financial institution (checking, savings or investment account statement)*
• Mail from local, state or federal government*
*Cannot be more than 2 months old

If you received the first dose of the vaccine in Florida, you will be allowed to receive the second dose, regardless of your residency status.

No. You must get your second vaccine dose in the state where you received your first dose.

No, the State of Florida is offering the vaccine at no cost. Insurance is not required, though you may be asked to enter your insurance information during registration. Providing it is optional.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to be effective. Those eligible for the initial vaccine dose will be advised when to return for their second dose. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is a single-dose vaccine. You will be informed what vaccine you are receiving when you arrive for your scheduled appointment.

Your second appointment will be scheduled on the patient portal as you are registering for your first dose appointment. It is important to follow the instructions exactly as they are provided to you so that the vaccine administered in the follow-up injection is the same kind as the initial dose, and to achieve maximum effectiveness of the vaccine.

You will be given a vaccination card which states which doses you have received. Keep your card – it is not easy to get a replacement and some areas require proof of vaccination to travel.

• A photo ID with your name and date of birth (for example: Florida driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport) 
• Proof of Florida residency (state driver’s license or other official documents, such as a deed, rental agreement or utility bill)
• Proof of your appointment (printed copy or screenshot of the confirmation email, or text message with QR code the portal automatically generates) 
• Vaccine consent form provided during appointment scheduling
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth when receiving any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unable to remove a mask without assistance should not wear a mask.
• For eligible categories (teachers, sworn law enforcement, fire fighters)
  • Organizational identification card or badge for eligible categories
  • Medical license (if applicable)
  • Paystub showing employment for eligible categories
  • W-2 IRS form showing employer for eligible categories
  • An employment verification letter on letterhead for eligible categories

No. Please arrive at the time of your scheduled appointment. Do not arrive ahead of your scheduled appointment time. Those arriving ahead of schedule will be turned away and instructed to return at their scheduled time. Some locations around the state have experienced delays because of early birds lining up ahead of their scheduled time and being instructed to return later.

If you made the appointment on the Patient Portal, a QR code confirming the appointment details will be sent to the email and/or cell phone number you indicated.

Follow the instructions provided during your visit. If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

The phases below are taken from the vaccine prioritization plan approved by Florida’s Governor:

Phase 1 –

Limited Supply of Vaccine Availability

• Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact
• Long-term care facilities (residents and staff)
• Persons 65 years and older

Phase 2 – Begins March 3

Significant Increase of Vaccine Availability

• Critical organizations (As identified by the Governor of Florida)
• Vulnerable populations (People who are at higher risk of severe illness)

Phase 3 Begins April 5

Ample Supply of Vaccine Availability

• Vaccine Available to the General Public 18 and older (12+ for Pfizer)