Since the beginning of January, the city of Oakland Park has distributed more than 5,000 coronavirus vaccines, particularly to vulnerable seniors.

In a presentation to the city commission Tuesday, city manager David Hebert announced that 5,220 people have been vaccinated at Collins Community Center since Jan. 9. Over the last three months, the city has increased its daily vaccinations, now distributing 144 vaccines a day.

“Our site is really unique because it’s targeted to a specific group of people,” Hebert told the commission.

From the beginning, the city has paid special attention to vulnerable populations, noting that there are people without internet, don’t speak English, or don’t have transportation to the vaccination site. Because of that, the city has provided a phone line with an actual person to answer questions as well as providing transportation to residents who need it.

“There's a whole segment of our society that doesn’t have access to the internet or transportation and they really need some help,” Oakland Park Mayor Jane Bolin told The Gazette in an interview. “We’re just trying to make it as easy as possible.”

Since March 2020, 2,599 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Oakland Park — not counting anyone who may be asymptomatic. The city has also tracked its own staff, with 57 staff members testing positive since the beginning of the pandemic and 145 isolating or being on the city’s “watch list.”

“More than 5% of individuals with our city alone have tested positive for coronavirus that we are aware of,” Hebert told the commission.

If you are 65 or older, you can make an appointment for a vaccine at 954-630-4335 or visit oaklandparkfl.gov/613/Coronavirus. Appointments are scheduled Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and patients can expect to be there for up to an hour for a post-vaccine observation period.

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