Jacksonville caregivers, senior citizens and teachers get COVID-19 vaccine Saturday

 Mary Ann Smith looked relieved and more relaxed as her daughter Lawanda Ballard helped her into their car Saturday morning at Gateway Town Center, which is a federal vaccination site against COVID-19.


Ballard, 53, is her 78-year-old mother's caregiver. They were among many caregivers and their oldster charges who were vaccinated during a special "2 for 1" event intended to extend the number of individuals — especially those most vulnerable like senior citizens, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and people who look out of them — vaccinated against the virus.

Caregivers who accompanied someone 65 or older to urge a COVID-19 vaccine at the shopping mall, 5000-7 Norwood Ave., also could get vaccinated.

"No, it didn't hurt a touch," Smith said of the vaccination. "I'd just turned my head and that I didn't even feel it or realize it was done until the young man who gave me my shot told me it had been everywhere. He was very nice."

Smith said the entire process was "smooth sailing." Registration for the vaccination took about five minutes, the post-inoculation observation period was a quarter-hour then they were cleared to travel home, Ballard said.

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"I'm so happy that I came to urge the shot," said Smith, who had been a touch anxious about getting vaccinated. "Yes, I feel better, a touch more comfortable after getting it." 

Eligible caregivers included those that weren't getting purchased helping someone 65 or older, consistent with Florida Division of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials operating the vaccination site with aid from U.S. Navy personnel.

The four-hour "We Care — all Gets One" event from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. was held only at the Gateway site Saturday. 

However, it included vaccinations for college district personnel, police, and fire, and rescue personnel.

All school personnel no matter their age can get vaccinated as long as they might show proof of employment.

Rebecca Larson, 52, of Gainesville was among several teachers who drove up to the Gateway Town Center to be vaccinated. They came to Jacksonville, she said, because all the appointments in Alachua County had been booked, she said.

"Because I'm a teacher and that I wanted to be protected and that I heard they were doing them over here. So our whole team came up and that I did too," said Larson, adding that she teaches 11th grade.

People could get either the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Larson said she chose Johnson & Johnson because it had been a one-time inoculation. 

"I still will wear my mask, of course, but now I got the shot it does feel a touch bit better like now we're on the increase again so we will be normal," she said.

Law enforcement and fire/rescue first responders a minimum of 50 years old can also get vaccinated as long as they showed a piece identification.

Medical personnel had a complete of about 3,000 doses of the vaccine available to inoculate people at Gateway on Saturday, said Ron Beesley, incident commander for the Florida Department of Emergency Management team operating the Gateway Town Center vaccination site.

"We've been averaging the last three or four days a touch over 3,000 shots per day here and at two satellite campuses," Beesley said. 

Beesley said they hoped to use all of the doses Saturday.

"That's our goal to succeed in the underserved community here in Jacksonville and to push as many shots into arms as we possibly can," he said.

State Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, initiated the 2-for-1 vaccination event for caregivers and their charges. Gibson said she was excited that state and federal authorities were receptive to the thought.

"What better thanks to getting the vaccine into more arms than to possess the caregiver bring their charge, they're senior to urge the vaccine," Gibson said.

The event benefits individuals also because of the community, she said.

"It just helps to form our community safer, sooner," she said.

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