OCALA, Fla.—The Department of Health in Marion County continues to offer the third shot of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to Marion County’s immunocompromised residents, as well as booster shots for qualified residents.

“We are making every effort to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are available to every resident who needs them,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “We want our community to be able to easily take advantage of these safe and effective vaccines.”

Third shots and boosters. Appointments are available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the department’s Ocala facility, 1801 SE 32nd Avenue, for immunocompromised residents who are eligible for a third Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna shot, and for residents who are eligible for the Pfizer booster. You can sign up for an appointment online at this link: https://tinyurl.com/MakeMarionFLVaxAppt. Walk-ins are also available.

Immunocompromised individuals may discuss with their health care provider whether getting a third dose is appropriate for them. Individuals can self-attest that they are immunocompromised and receive the additional dose wherever vaccines are offered. Find out more about additional COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html.

COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are available for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago and are:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work in high-risk settings
• Age 18+ who live in high-risk settings

For details on the booster for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients, go to cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.

There is currently no additional shot available for people who have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Call the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2590 for information.

More vaccination opportunities

The department provides COVID-19 vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. at its main office (1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala) by appointment. Walk-ins are also available To make a vaccination appointment or obtain more information, visit tinyurl.com/marioncovidvax or call 352-644-2590.

Drive-through testing available Monday through Thursday

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. Free, county-sponsored drive-through COVID-19 testing is available at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion (2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala) on these dates during the month of October:

• Oct. 4
• Oct. 6
• Oct. 11

Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park. Statlab Mobile, a COVID-19 mobile clinical testing service, is offering free drive-through testing from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday through Thursday at the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park, 11008 South Hwy 475, Ocala. People who would like to be tested must enter through the County Road 475 public entrance.

For all drive-through testing sites, individuals should bring a valid photo ID. Minors under age 18 will only be tested if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. People should be prepared to stay in their vehicles while awaiting testing; restroom facilities will not be available. Only people who are being tested should be in the vehicle, with the exception of parents, guardians or caregivers. No pets are permitted in the vehicle during tests. School students should refrain from eating or drinking anything 15 to 30 minutes prior to their tests.

For more information, call the Department of Health in Marion County at 352-644-2590.

Positivity rate falls below 10%

According to the most recent state report, Marion County is reporting 55,600 cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of September 30. This is an increase of 614 cases from the previous week. Of Marion COVID-19 cases from Sept. 24–30, 9.1% tested positive. The daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases in Florida was 6.5%.

Marion’s cases and positivity rates continue to decrease. From COVID-19 cases reported over the past seven days (cases reported Sept. 24–30), Marion saw:

• An average of 87.7 new cases per day
• 9.1% positivity rate.
• A total of 825 people vaccinated

From COVID-19 cases reported over the past seven days (cases reported Sept. 18–23), Marion saw:

• An average of 148.3 new cases per day
• 13.3% positivity rate.
• A total of 1,106 people vaccinated

From COVID-19 cases reported over the past seven days (cases reported Sept. 10–16), Marion saw:

• An average of 220.4 new cases per day
• 17.9% positivity rate.
• A total of 1,636 people vaccinated

From COVID-19 cases reported over the past seven days (cases reported Sept. 3–9), Marion saw:

• An average of 300.7 new cases per day
• 22.5% positivity rate.
• A total of 1,970 people vaccinated

From COVID-19 cases reported Aug 26–Sept. 2, Marion saw:

• An average of 436 new cases per day
• 23.7% positivity rate.
• A total of 2,769 people vaccinated

Find out more

Visit https://marion.floridahealth.gov,https://www.marionflcovid.org and https://twitter.com/flhealthmarion for the latest information on COVID-19 and vaccinations. Visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov and use the Vaccine Locator and Testing Sites tools to find vaccination and testing sites near you.