FDOH-Charlotte offering more vaccines

COVID-19 numbers are up in Charlotte County but so is the number of people lining up to get vaccinated.

To help increase the number even more, the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County is offering a $10 gift card in exchange for vaccinations.

Michael Lytle was one of the first in line to get his shot when he qualified for it, but now the Port Charlotte resident was back at the health department to get a new vaccine card.

“The way things are going, you’re gonna need proof sooner or later. So I decided, you know, to have a copy of it, just in case,” Lytle said.

FDOH-Charlotte wants to see everyone vaccinated sooner rather than later.

“We’re just trying to be out in the community more just to make getting vaccinated as easy as possible,” said Joseph Pepe, health administrator at FDOH-Charlotte.

Pepe said the department’s seeing triple the amount of people get COVID vaccine shots compared to late June.

He points to the spike in local cases, the start of school next week, and higher confidence in the shot.

Diana Harrison of Port Charlotte was one of the people who got the shot on Friday. She is still not confident in its efficacy, but got the shot because of work.

“People are still going to get it either way. COVID is still going to be around. People are not wearing a mask,” Harrison said.

Lytle was able to get proof of his shot, but now he hopes more people will have the same proof.

“Just get things back to normal,” Lytle said. “I hope so.”

About 300 people are getting their shot daily at the health department, but they can handle more.

Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are available.

For more information on vaccine availability in Charlotte County, click here or look at the flyer below.