County Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Age Eligibility Lowered, and Second Dose Information

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Governor DeSantis announced Thursday that the age requirement for eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine will be lowered to 40 years of age effective Monday, March 29. 

Beginning Monday, April 5, vaccine eligibility will be lowered to 18 years of age. 

According to a release, as of March 29, the following groups will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E. New York Ave, DeLand:

• Long-term care facility residents (accompanied by their guardian, if applicable) and staff;
• persons 40 years of age and older;
• health care personnel with direct patient contact; and
• persons determined by a physician to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 (form required).

As of April 5, all individuals 18 years and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Volusia County Fairgrounds.

Appointments continue to be required; to preregister for an appointment, sign up at myvaccine.fl.gov/. 

Individuals may preregister even if they do not meet the current eligibility requirements. Individuals who have previously preregistered are now able to check the status of their registration at myvaccine.fl.gov/.

Reducing potential traffic issues and preventing overcrowding, individuals should not arrive at the Volusia County Fairgrounds for their appointment before their scheduled appointment time. 

Individuals who receive their first dose vaccine at the Volusia County Fairgrounds will not receive a call scheduling a second dose appointment. Individuals should return to the same location on the date written on the back of their vaccination card to receive their second dose. 

Individuals should arrive at the same time as their first-dose appointment.

For questions, call the Volusia County Citizens Information Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 866-345-0345.