UCF will begin to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers, faculty, staff and students ages 65 or older, starting Tuesday.
Dr. Michael Deichen, associate vice president of UCF Student Health Services, said in a Friday statement that the no-cost vaccine will be given with a scheduled appointment at Student Health Services at UCF’s main campus.
UCF said in a Monday news release it has received 1,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and Deichen said the distribution will be in accordance with the State of Florida’s guidelines.
UCF will send an email to those healthcare workers, faculty, staff and students who are eligible to receive the vaccine based on the state’s current criteria, Deichen said.
He said the email will contain information about how to sign up for an appointment, and anyone who does not fit the State of Florida’s executive order guidelines for vaccine eligibility will not be able to receive the vaccination at this time.
Deichen said some community providers are offering the vaccine to residents who qualify, and members of the UCF community may elect to receive their vaccinations through one of those offerings.
“If you have already scheduled an appointment with another provider, please keep that appointment so we may reach as many people as we can,” he said.
The vaccine is a two-dose vaccine. UCF will provide instructions for scheduling for the second dose in the recommended three weeks after completion of the first dose.
Deichen said this is the first dose of hope for our UCF community.
“In time, we expect to receive additional doses of the vaccine and also expect that the State of Florida’s eligibility requirements will be expanded,” Deichen said. “When that time comes, our vaccine distribution process will scale up accordingly so that we are able to provide as many doses as available to all UCF faculty, staff and students.”
In December, Deichen said the university will encourage students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated in the interest of UCF’s health and safety.
Deichen said he is encouraged about the vaccine distribution in the community but said COVID-19 precautions must continue to be taken.
“We must continue to practice other COVID-19 precautions, including after we are vaccinated as herd immunity develops,” he said. “Prevention precautions such as wearing a face covering, practicing physical distancing and washing hands are as critical as ever.”
More information about vaccine distribution can be found on UCF’s coronavirus website, and questions can be directed to covid19vaccine@ucf.edu.
Update: This article was originally published on Jan. 10 and updated with new information on Jan. 11. Check back with Knight News for updates.
