JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As more and more people become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine in Florida, pop-up sites around Jacksonville are seeing an increase in demand.
A new one opened at 9 a.m. Friday at the Webb Wesconnett Library on 103rd Street on the Westside. The site will be open until 7 p.m. or while supplies last. No appointment is required.
The pop-up sites offer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which only requires one dose -- and that’s drawing lines of people who want to be one and done with their vaccinations.
“I’ve been wanting.” dental assistant Julie Chipp said. “It’s only a one-time shot and I’m in health care and we are vulnerable.”
Update from the @FLSERT one-day Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine event at the Wesconnett Library:
— City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) April 2, 2021
They have administered more than 260 of their allotment of 400 doses for this one-day vaccine event so far. There is a very minimal wait right now - this site is open until 7pm. pic.twitter.com/vSuNFnzP10
There will more pop-up clinics around Jacksonville this weekend, each offering 400 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine:
Saturday
- Highlands Library at 1826 Dunn Ave. - 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Mary Lena Gibbs Park, 6974 Wilson Blvd. - 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday
- Main Jacksonville Library - 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
“These mobile pop-up sites have been a hit in the community,” said Dr. Charles Moreland with the city of Jacksonville. “The places that I’ve been to over the last week, and our library locations, they’ve either run out or come very close to running out each day.”
Leading by example
At the vaccine site at Edward Waters College on Friday, Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon and other local leaders got the vaccine and encouraged others not to wait.
“We need everyone to help us with leading by example. I have had mine. Now it’s time for you to get yours,” said Mia Jones, CEO of Agape Family Health and a former state representative.
Among the community leaders getting their shot at EWC was Ebony Hardy-Allen of First Coast Leadership Foundation.
“I lost my dad to COVID and my mom had COVID, but she fully recovered. So I think this is very important,” she said.
All adults in Florida qualify to get vaccines next week
Starting Monday, Florida is opening COVID-19 shots to anyone age 16 and older, meaning 5.5 million more people can get in line to get their shot next week. And that means if you are currently eligible, which is everyone 40 and up -- you’ll want to consider getting the shot this weekend to avoid the rush.
Everyone 18 and older can get any of the vaccines currently available, but as of now, 16- and 17-year-olds can only get the Pfizer vaccine. A guardian will need to be with them and they will need to have a consent form filled out. (Click here for a printable version of the form)
Statewide, just over 6 million people have received at least one shot, and of those, 3.4 million are fully vaccinated.
With millions more expected to get in line, Florida is getting a much-needed boost to its vaccine supply.
RELATED: Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Northeast Florida
The state is expected to receive more than 800,000 doses early next week. That includes more than 300,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
This marks the 10th straight week with a significant jump in the state’s allotment.