Orange County Fire Rescue Lead Efforts to Offer COVID-19 Vaccine to Residents in Underserved Communities

WHAT: As part of its local community outreach efforts to vaccinate vulnerable residents, Orange County Government and the Florida Division of Emergency Management have partnered to go door-to-door to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to homebound residents in vulnerable communities.

On Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., the State of Florida canvassing teams will survey the area to determine who in the Pine Hills and Lockhart communities is eligible for the vaccine.

The Orange County Fire Rescue paramedics will be positioned strategically in the area to respond immediately to individuals who request to be vaccinated and meet the eligibility criteria.

WHEN: March 23, 2021 8 am to 5 pm.  Please call the Fire Rescue PIO to schedule a specific time/location. This will be an ongoing effort throughout various communities. Future dates, time and locations will be communicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the state and Orange County Government canvasing and providing in-home vaccinations?
As part of its local community outreach efforts to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to vulnerable residents, Orange County Government and the Florida Division of Emergency Management have partnered to go door-to-door to provide vaccinations to home-bound residents. This is a pilot program specifically targeted to reach underserved communities in Orange County.

Who will be coming to my door? And what information will they ask for?

Community canvassers, wearing blue, neon green or red SERT (State Emergency Response Team) shirts and carrying photo ID credentials, will go door-to-door to gauge residents desire to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

If interested in receiving a vaccine, the community canvasser will ask you for your name, address, phone number and verify you fall under the state criteria to be vaccinated, which for this pilot program is homebound and 50 and older. An Orange County Fire Rescue paramedic will then return to the home at a later time and vaccinate eligible residents. The community canvassers will also provide COVID-19 vaccine information, which includes available vaccination sites, transportation assistance and resources.

How are underserved communities identified for this program?
The underserved communities have been identified through the Florida Department of Health vaccine census tract data and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index.

What if my community is not identified as an underserved area?
Underserved communities are identified using the latest Florida Department of Health vaccine census tract data and the CDC social vulnerability index information.  For more information on other vaccination opportunities in Orange County, visit ocfl.net/Vaccine.

Is the program only available in Orange County?
Yes, it is only available to Orange County residents in the communities identified.

What is the criteria for receiving the vaccine?
We are following the state’s current criteria, which can be found at ocfl.net/Vaccine under the Frequently Ask Questions tab.

Who will administer the vaccine?
Orange County Fire Rescue paramedics will administer the vaccine.

What type of vaccine will be given?
The state has provided Orange County Fire Rescue paramedics with the Johnson & Johnson, one-dose vaccine for the community vaccination program. If Johnson & Johnson is not available, paramedics may administer Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Can others in my household receive the vaccine?
The vaccine can only be provided to individuals who meet the program criteria.

Do I need to register for the program?
No, you do not have to register for the program.  If you are interested in receiving the vaccine, the state canvassers will be walking through the designated areas and they will take your information and provide it to Orange County Fire Rescue.

If I wish to get vaccinated, am homebound and missed the community canvassers, what should I do?
Please call 3-1-1 and an Orange County representative either can direct you to transportation assistance or if you are in the pilot project area and it is the same day, staff can alert Orange County Fire Rescue paramedics to stop by and provide you the vaccination if they are still in your area.