COVID-19 Vaccine Offered At New Health Department Site

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County now offers COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters at its Manatee South Center at 7780 Westmoreland Drive in Sarasota. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

DOH-Manatee also offers COVID-19 vaccinations at its main clinic at 410 Sixth Avenue East at Bradenton.

The Manatee South Center, a satellite location, is only offering COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters right now, according to a news release from the agency. Department staff will expand operations there in the coming weeks and months to include COVID-19 testing and basic services.

The agency encourages everyone ages five and up to get vaccinated against COVID-19, especially since the first case of the Omicron variant was detected in the United States Dec. 1.

“The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants is to get vaccinated,” said DOH-Manatee Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie. “Being vaccinated decreases the likelihood you will get sick and makes it less likely you will need hospitalization or die if you get infected.”

To book a no-cost COVID-19 vaccination at either county-run site, call 941-242-6649. Walk-ins are welcome at both sites, as well.

Find other locations to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Manatee County at www.floridahealthcovid19.gov.

This article originally appeared on the Bradenton Patch