male nurse filling a syringe with COVID-19 vaccine.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations in Orange County

Public Health & Safety

Individuals can stay updated on the County’s vaccination efforts by visiting ocfl.net/vaccine.
Frequently Asked Questions last updated on 12/28/2021.

Table of Contents

GENERAL INFORMATION

Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
There are many location options for eligible individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County, including Orange County’s Barnett Park, Orange County Public Schools, mobile vaccination sites, Federal Retail Pharmacies, VA Orlando Health Care and various other sites. To find a vaccination site near you, visit ocfl.net/VaccineSites or Vaccines.gov.

Who is eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available for individuals ages 5 years and older. For a complete list of eligibility, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.

Is the vaccine free?
Yes, the vaccine is administered at no cost to all individuals living in the U.S., regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. Residents may be asked to show ID or health insurance, but it’s not a requirement. Be wary of misleading webpages charging for vaccine appointments. Those scams should be reported to the Attorney General’s Office.

Do I need to be a resident of Florida to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the state?
On Thursday, April 29, 2021, the State Surgeon announced eligibility to include non-Florida residents providing goods and services in Florida. Please bring an ID with you to vaccination. All COVID-19 vaccination sites no longer require individuals to provide multiple proofs of residency to receive a vaccine. Individuals will now be required to verbally confirm if they are a Florida resident or if they are in the state for the purpose of providing goods and services in Florida. Read the full Public Health Advisory.

Is an ID required to be vaccinated?
Please provide an ID at the time of vaccination. However, all COVID-19 vaccination sites no longer require individuals to provide multiple proofs of residency to receive a vaccine. Read the full Public Health Advisory.

How do I prove I received the vaccination?
Once you have received your first vaccination, you will be provided with a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. Your Record Card is your documentation that you have received both doses of the vaccine. Do not lose your Record Card.

What if I lost my COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card?
If you are an Orange County resident and need to request a replacement CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, visit the Florida Department of Orange County’s webpage to make this request. If you are NOT an Orange County, Fla. resident, please contact your County Health Department where you reside in order to make this request. Please note that if you received your vaccination through the Veteran’s Healthcare System and you lose your card, you must go through the VA for a replacement.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
General side effects that have been reported include injection site tenderness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea, vomiting and fever. Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare, and can include difficulty breathing, swelling of your face and throat, elevated heart heartbeat, development of a rash all over your body, dizziness and weakness. For more information, visit the CDC’s website. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. If you experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine, contact your health provider and report to the Vaccine Adverse Reporting System.

What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss your vaccination options with your healthcare provider.

Do I still need to socially distance and wear a mask after receiving the vaccine?
Residents are still encouraged to follow CDC guidelines. Together, a COVID-19 vaccination and the recommendations for how to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19. For additional COVID-19 myths vs. facts visit Orange County’s newsroom.

What is the CDC’s guidance on the time span recommendations for the second dose?
If you received a first dose of a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, a second dose is needed to complete the primary series. The CDC recommends 3 weeks (21 days) between Pfizer doses and 4 weeks (28 days) between Moderna doses.

You should get your second dose as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible. However, your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose, if necessary. You should not get the second dose early. Additionally, if you do receive your second dose up to 4 days before or at any time after the recommended date, you do not have to restart the vaccine series, and you can be considered fully vaccinated. This guidance might be updated as more information becomes available. For more information, visit the CDC’s website.

Who is eligible to receive a booster shot?
If you are 18 years or older, you may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some individuals may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. The CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. For more information about booster eligibility and timing, visit the CDC’s website.

BARNETT PARK

Where is the Barnett Park vaccination site located? When is it open?
In addition to testing, Barnett Park will serve as a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site. The Barnett Park vaccination site began administering vaccines on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The site is operational during the below hours:

  • Barnett Park
    4801 W Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808
    Monday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (7 days per week)

Is the Barnett Park vaccination site a drive-thru vaccination site?
Yes. You will not have to get out of your vehicle.

Do I need an appointment to visit the Barnett Park vaccination site?
No, you do not need an appointment. However, pre-registration of personal information is recommended in order to save time onsite.

What COVID-19 vaccine are they administering at the Barnett Park site?
Currently, the site is administering the following vaccines:

When is the best time to visit the Barnett Park vaccination site?
Due to severe weather, Barnett Park will occasionally close earlier than 4 p.m. Individuals interested in a COVID-19 vaccination are urged to arrive at Barnett Park early to ensure they can be accommodated before the site closes.

TRANSPORTATION/HOMEBOUND INFORMATION

Is there transportation options for seniors?
Individuals who are 60+ and unable to find transportation to the vaccination site at Barnett Park may qualify for a free ride, courtesy of LYNX.

Individuals can call the County’s helpline at 311 (or 407-836-3111 if out of County) for details and coordination. Scheduling transportation for appointments needs to be made 48 hours in advance of your appointment. If your appointment is on a Saturday or Sunday, your request for a ride must be made the prior Friday, at the latest, during regular business hours.

Individuals who are disabled and need help with transportation can contact the Transportation Disadvantage Program or the ADA Paratransit program through LYNX. All the prerequisites and requirements for program eligibility are available at GoLynx website. You can also contact LYNX by dialing 407-841-5969, or emailing inquiry@golynx.com.

Are there any other options for individuals who do not have reliable transportation to a vaccination site?
On Monday, May 24, 2021, the White House announced its partnership with ride-sharing services, Uber and Lyft, to offer free rides to anyone going to a vaccination site. More information on this program can be found on Uber or Lyft‘s website.

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