OKEECHOBEE — The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County is reminding all Floridians to get their COVID-19 vaccine. The best way to avoid contracting COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated.

“The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be vital to ending the pandemic, including combating the recent case increases, nationally and globally. Vaccine benefits include:
• Significantly reduces the risk of contracting the virus even if you are exposed.
• Teaching your body how to fight the virus.
• Reducing the risk of severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death if you contract the virus.
• Minimizing the ability for the virus to spread, especially to our most vulnerable populations.
• Fighting against emerging variants that can cause worse symptoms and spread.

“I urge you to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your family,” said Bret A. Smith, Health Officer.

The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone 12 years of age and older, including pregnant women. It takes up to two weeks after full vaccination to develop protection against the COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine does not fully protect against contracting COVID-19, but it may reduce the severity of symptoms, keep you from being admitted into the hospital, and the risk of complications.

Getting vaccinated when you are healthy, helps to protect our most vulnerable populations. People at higher risk for COVID-19 illness with complications include adults over the age of 65, people with compromised immune systems, and people who have existing medical conditions, such as asthma and obesity.

The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County will provide Moderna Covid vaccines to anyone 18 years of age and older on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted on those days or you may call 863-462-5800 to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Currently there are 11 locations providing COVID-19 vaccines in Okeechobee County.

• The Florida Department of Health in Okeechobee County, 1728 N.W. Ninth Ave., available now for walk-in or appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccine when supply is available.

• CVS Pharmacy, 106 N. Parrott Ave. in Okeechobee is administering Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for walk-in or appointment. Register for an appointment at https://www.cvs.com/vaccine/intake/store/covid-screener/covid-qns, 863-763-3169.

• Publix Pharmacy, 3551 U.S. 441 in Okeechobee, is administering Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine by walk-in or appointment. Register for an appointment at https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine/florida, 863-763-0428.

• Walmart Pharmacy, 2101 S Parrott Ave. in Okeechobee, is administering Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine by walk-in or appointment. Register for an appointment at https://www.walmart.com/covidvaccine, 863-467-7169.

• Florida Community Health Center, 1100 N. Parrott Ave. in Okeechobee, is administering Johnson & Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by appointment only. Register for an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine by calling 863-763-7481.

• Heartland Discount Pharmacy, 407 S. Parrott Ave. in Okeechobee, is administering Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine by appointment at https://form.jotform.com/210896351116151 or by walk-in, 863-763-7633.

• Walgreens Pharmacy, 100 N.W. Park St. in Okeechobee, is administering the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine by appointment only. Register for an appointment at https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-vaccine.jsp, 863-357-1754.

• Florida Community Health Center, Dr. Fred Brown Children Health Center, 2015 U.S. 441 in Okeechobee, offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by appointment and walk-in, 863-763-1952.

• Lakeshore Medical Center-FCHC, 1100 N. Parrott Ave. in Okeechobee is offering Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine by appointment, call 863-763-7481, https://www.fchcinc.org/

• Okeechobee Discount Drugs Pharmacy, 203 S,W, Park St. in Okeechobee, is offering Moderna COVID-19 vaccines by walk-in, 863-763-5100.

• Okeechobee Urgent Care, 305 N.E. Park St. in Okeechobee, is offering Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for walk-in, no appointment needed, 863-484-8154.

This information is current as of Aug. 4.

Visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/ for more information on how to #GetVaxedFL.