Publix accepting applications for COVID-19 vaccine in Collier County at 16 locations

Collier County was added to a growing list of Publix vaccination sites that is proven effective to get the COVID-19 vaccine to people 65 and older, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday.

Publix pharmacies in Lee County will be included but DeSantis did not provide a timeline  for when that might be.

“We think this is a good way to get it into the community for seniors,” the governor said during a media briefing outside the Publix store, at 15625 Collier Blvd. in North Naples.

What you need to know:Which Publix stores in Collier County are offering COVID-19 vaccines? Here's a list.

The Lakeland-based Publix added Collier to the dozens of other stores where the Moderna vaccine will be available to seniors with required appointments starting Thursday and while supplies last.

Although DeSantis did not say how many doses are available immediately in Collier, he said each store will be able to vaccinate 100 to 125 people each day.

In addition to Collier, Publix pharmacies in Flagler, St. Johns and Volusia were the latest  added as vaccination sites for seniors by the supermarket chain.

 That brings the total to 105 Publix locations in 12 counties, he said.

“We believe this can make a difference,” DeSantis said. “Our philosophy is if something works, let’s double down on it.”

More:COVID-19 vaccine tracker: See how many people in Florida have been vaccinated, by county, state

The governor said the plan is to continue adding more counties with Publix locations as vaccination sites, especially in more rural communities with smaller hospital systems to provide access.

The governor spoke about how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends all states begin vaccinating their seniors 65 and older and said that is something Florida has been leading the way on as the first state to do.

So far, 60% of shots given in Florida is to elders, that includes vaccine given in nursing homes. Other states are at 25% or less in shots going to seniors, he said.

Even with other states starting to vaccinate their elders and causing heightened strain on delivery of the vaccine, the governor said he expects Florida will continue to get supply.

About 400,000 doses of vaccine had been administered statewide to seniors by Wednesday morning, DeSantis said.

With 4.5 million seniors in the state, he acknowledged demand is huge and asked for patience and said eventually the demand will slow down.

As soon as the Publix website for appointments went live Wednesday morning, people were busy trying to get appointments; many had good luck.

More:Southwest Florida seniors want easier COVID-19 vaccination sign up

Vickie Freeman, 69, of Naples, was able to get an appointment with a few glitches and was pleased to see a second appointment for the second dose was also possible.

"All in all the experience was pretty good and Publix should get an applause," she said.

Seniors who make appointments for the vaccine at a Publix location will automatically be given an appointment for their second dose 28 days later at the same location and same time, said Maria Brous, Publix spokeswoman.

Seniors will be called or emailed ahead of time, she said.

Brous did not have the number of doses available in Collier for appointments.

At the Publix vaccine page she advised seniors to keep checking on appointment availability. If the site says “please check again shortly” that means it is processing appointments.

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When appointments are filled, the message will change to say appointments are full, she said.

There is no cost to seniors for the vaccine. Customers with health insurance will need to bring their insurance card to their scheduled appointment. Customers without health insurance will need to provide their driver’s license or Social Security number.

Appointments are required at publix.com/covid-vaccine.

More:COVID-19 vaccination appointments gone in minutes at NCH Healthcare System

Publix locations in Collier

Here are the locations in Collier:

• Marco Town Center 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island
• Shoppes at Hammock Cove 4370 Thomasson Drive, Naples.
• Berkshire Commons 7101 Radio Road, Naples.
• Riverchase Shopping Center 11200 Tamiami Trail North, Naples.
• Crossroads Market Shopping Center 5991 Pine Ridge Road, Naples.
• Pine Ridge Crossing Shopping Center 2310 Pine Ridge Road, Naples.
• Freedom Square 12663 Tamiami Trail E., Naples.
• Pelican Strand 5624 Strand Blvd., Naples.
• Naples Walk 2450 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples.
• The Shoppes at Pebblebrook 15265 Collier Blvd, Naples.
• Naples Lakes Village Center 8585 Collier Blvd., Naples.
• Brooks Village 12975 Collier Blvd., Naples.
• Marketplace at Pelican Bay 8833 North Tamiami Trail, Naples.
• Naples Plaza 1981 Tamiami Trail North, Naples.
• Kings Lake Square 4860 Davis Blvd., Naples.
• Neighborhood Shoppes at Orangetree 13550 Immokalee Road, Naples.

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