INDIANTOWN – Florida Department of Health in Martin County will be providing free COVID-19 vaccines Saturday, Aug. 28, from 12 – 3 p.m. at the Booker Park Church of God, 14940 SW 169th Drive, Indiantown, Florida. They will also be at the Indiantown Middle School, 16303 SW Farm Road, Indiantown, Florida, Aug. 31, from 5 – 8 p.m. and South Fork High School, 10000 Bulldog Way, Stuart, Florida, on Sept. 1 from 4 – 7 p.m. According to the health department website, the vaccinations are free to all Martin County residents and with no appointment required.

On Thursday, Aug. 19, Janet Hernandez, mayor of Indiantown, urged residents to get vaccinated. She said, “I respect everyone’s decision about the vaccine, but even younger folks in their 40s and 50s are getting the DELTA.” The mayor continued that following the science was important. “These are people who have been to school and are educated on the research,” she said. Hernandez then cautioned residents about believing Tik-Tok or social media posts about the virus or the vaccine and encouraged them to do their own research. “This is major,” she said. “It could be between life or death.”

Council member Anthony Dowling also urged residents to get vaccinated. Dowling remarked, “My mother tells me it’s a blessing to get old and it really is, especially during this time.” He continued by pleading for residents to take advantage of the vaccinations because “This DELTA variant is on the rampage.” The council member went on to say that if someone opted not to get the vaccine, then practice the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines of social distancing, washing your hands, wearing a mask. Dowling concluded, “We want you to be here; we want you safe.”

The Health Department is also available by calling (772) 221-4000 and choosing option 3 to make an appointment. Additional information on the vaccines can be found at www.vaccines.gov. As of Aug. 19, approximately 66% of Floridians were vaccinated, according to Florida Health.

Free COVID-19 testing was expanded to seven days a week on Aug. 23 at the Health Department parking lot, located at 3441 SE Willoughby Blvd., Stuart, Florida. The testing times are Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Only 200 PCR or polymerase chain reaction and Rapid Antigen tests are available each day. Appointments are recommended and can be placed at www.curative.com. Walk-ups are also available, according to the Health Department website.