WEST PALM BEACH – Vaccinations have begun in Palm Beach County, pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-315, for long term care facility staff, persons 65 years of age and older and healthcare personnel with direct patient contact.

At this time appointments through the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach), should only be requested by sending an email to chd50feedback@flhealth.gov.

Please remember to include your name, phone number, and date of birth. All emails are being received and will be contacted in order with further instructions as appointments slots and options become available. Vaccination appointments are based on dosage availability, we appreciate your continued patience.

No vaccines will be given without an appointment. Please do not show up at any of our Florida Department of Health locations for a vaccine, or to request an appointment. This should be done by email only at this time.*

Additional updates on local vaccine distribution will be communicated through palmbeach.floridahealth.gov, twitter account @HealthyFLPBC, and local media.

Make sure you speak with your primary care provider to answer any questions you have about the vaccine before you receive it. Pursuant to direction from Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Health and local health departments are responsible for receipt and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine on behalf of the State. Initial priorities for distribution were recently redefined in the Governor’s Executive Order 20-315: health care personnel; individuals 65 years of age and older; and long-term care facility residents and staff.

County staff are working closely with the Department of Health Palm Beach County and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County to complete the strategies for our local efforts to distribute the vaccine in accordance with the Governor’s priorities. Our local efforts will be in addition to the direct rollouts of the vaccine by the State of Florida or direct deliveries by federal agencies or contractors. Our strategies will include designated PODs (points of distribution) at both fixed and mobile locations that will be accessible by walk-up and/or drive-up. The plans for these operations are being finalized with incremental startups expected early in January.

Details of the local distribution plans are still being worked out and the timing of operations is dependent upon the supply and distribution of the vaccine by the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the County Health Department. Local distribution plans do not include nursing home and long-term care facilities which are being handled at the federal and state level. Additional announcements specific to public distribution within the County will be forthcoming from the County Health Department and the Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management.