Panama City, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Bay County (DOH-Bay), in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bay County Emergency Management, and other community partners are providing COVID-19 vaccination sites. To keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, DOH-Bay will continue to issue this update every week.

County health departments have an important role to play in administering vaccine. Here’s a summary of some of our top efforts January 25 - 31.

• Offered 500 COVID-19 vaccine appointments at DOH-Bay.
• Coordinated with partners to provide nearly 100 vaccines to healthcare providers with direct patient contact who are not affiliated with hospitals.
• Scheduled second dose vaccine appointments for persons vaccinated the first week of January.

The Florida Department of Health in Bay County continues to fight to protect health and safety as the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine continues. This week DOH-Bay will provide at least 500 vaccines to our community based on doses received. We will also provide nearly 700 second doses of vaccine.

The total number of Bay County residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is 13,334 with 9,693 of persons being seniors 65 and older. This means that 73 percent of vaccines have gone to Bay County seniors and 32 percent of Bay County seniors have received COVID-19 vaccine. The State COVID-19 Vaccine Summary by County is available here.

This is a historic mass vaccination effort and it is going to take some time to vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated. Your patience and understanding are essential and appreciated. People with questions about COVID-19 vaccines can email Bay.COVID@FLHealth.gov. We do not have the ability to make appointments through email.

COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

The State has launched a state-wide pre-registration for vaccines available at https://myvaccine.fl.gov/. Those currently eligible for the vaccine may also call 866-201-0712 or TTY 833-476-1462. This pre-registration option is ready and available now, but it may be a few weeks before DOH-Bay and Bay County Emergency Services receive the resources and training needed to begin using the service. We will let our community know when we are ready to use this option. Until then to receive COVID-19 appointment alerts, text ‘bayhealth’ to 888777 or visit bit.ly/bayhealthalert.

Publix is now offering COVID-19 vaccination at all five Bay County locations. To make an appointment, visit https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine.

The Florida Department of Health has created a vaccine locator site at https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccines/vaccine-locator/.

COVID-19 Data

• Percent positivity- 16.33% (Week of Jan. 23)
• Cases in the past 7 days- 1,326
• Cases in the past 14 days- 2,520
• Total positive residents- 15,969

There have been 290 COVID-19 related deaths (2% of all cases) of Bay County residents. Twenty-four deaths were confirmed in the past week.

As posted on the Agency for Health Care Administration dashboard, there are 73 persons in Bay County hospitals with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19. The total number of Bay County Residents who have been hospitalized at some point during their illness is 664 (4% of all cases).

The COVID-19 daily reports continue to be updated daily and the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard also continues to be updated daily. Please find all daily reports here. 

COVID-19 Testing

To reach maximum capacity for COVID-19 vaccination, DOH-Bay is temporarily suspending testing for COVID-19. If you need a COVID-19 test, please check with your healthcare provider first. Please visit Bay.FloridaHealth.gov for testing options or see the information below on testing provided by Bay County.

Bay County Testing
Lynn Haven Sports Park, 2201 Recreation Drive

Panama City Sports Park, 50 Chip Seal Parkway
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Criteria: Testing is available to adults over 18 and children ages 5 and up who are accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Free

Test Type: Antigen (rapid in 20 minutes) and PCR
Appointment required. To make an appointment, visit BayHealthCOVID19.org.

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About the Florida Department of Health 

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.