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 February 8 – 14.

• Offered 200 COVID-19 vaccine appointments for homebound seniors at the Bay County Council on Aging through a partnership with the Bay County Board of County Commissioners, Bay County Emergency Management, Bay County Transportation, and the Bay Towne Trolley
• Offered 300 COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the Callaway Arts and Conference Center
• Provided around 1,100 second doses of vaccine.

“Last week we were able to provide COVID-19 immunizations to nearly 200 homebound Bay County seniors who may otherwise not have had access to the vaccine,” said Sandon S. Speedling, MHS, CPM, CPH, Administrator and Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Bay County. “We are encouraged that more than 40-percent of Bay County’s seniors have been vaccinated.”

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 500 second doses of vaccine.

The total number of Bay County residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is 25,443 with 13,433 persons being seniors 65 and older. 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

Individuals 65 and older and frontline health care workers can now pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-201-0712. 

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

Walmart is now offering COVID-19 vaccines at all five Bay County locations through the federal pharmacy program. To check availability or make an appointment, visit walmart.com/COVIDvaccine.

Winn Dixie is offering COVID-19 vaccines at two Bay County locations. To check availability or make an appointment, visit https://www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine.

Under Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-315, hospital providers may vaccinate individuals who they have deemed to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Individuals with a comorbidity or disability who are under the age of 65 are encouraged to reach out to their health care provider to determine if they are highly vulnerable and eligible to be vaccinated.

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

COVID-19 Data

• Percent positivity- 11.13% (Week of Feb. 6)
• Cases in the past 7 days- 413
• Cases in the past 14 days- 1,289
• Total positive residents- 17,225

There have been 318 COVID-19 related deaths (2% of all cases) of Bay County residents. Eleven deaths were confirmed in the past week.

As posted on the Agency for Health Care Administration dashboard, there are 51 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 727 (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.