Free Uber, pop-up sites, TV campaigns as South Florida leaders urge for COVID-19 vaccinations

MIAMI, Fla. – Distressing trends in Broward County as the mayor says the county leads the state, which leads the nation, in variant cases amid an upward trend in admitted patients as vaccine demand softens.

“The amount of people getting vaccinated is going up as are the number of people getting sick because some people have abandoned any pretense of wearing masks,” Mayor Steven Geller said.

He also added there are more COVID-19 vaccine available than people who want to get it.

It’s that low demand that prompted Broward Health to suspend its first dose administration as Jackson Health System ends its public vaccination program next weekend. Both sites will continue with second dose administration only.

Miami-Dade County’s Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said they are now in a period of what she called vaccination persuasion. Geller mentioned a regional awareness campaign that will be going out in four languages, English, Spanish, Creole and Portuguese.

Now that everyone who wanted a shot has access, the focus is shifting to combating vaccine hesitancy to reach community immunity.

“It doesn’t matter what your political party or ethnicity or religion is, we need everyone to get vaccinated,” Geller said.

Miami-Dade County is teaming up with Uber and United Way Miami to provide more than 20,000 rides connecting residents to vaccination sites. Those who sign up for walk-up appointments at Miami-Dade County sites (Homestead Sports Complex, Zoo Miami, and Tropical Park), and at all other permanent walk-up locations in the county.

United Way is working to distribute the information directly to residents who need transportation to access vaccine appointments.

And, this weekend, the city of North Miami Beach will activate three walk-up vaccination sites offering 1st and 2nd doses of the Pfizer vaccine:

>Asamblea Evangelica de North Miami, 13740 NE 20th Pl, North Miami Beach, FL 33181

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 25, or while supplies last.

Pre-registration is required. To pre-register online visit: asambleaevangelica.net or call (786) 305-6468 or (786) 304-2488. For Spanish speakers: (305) 871-9362 or (786) 347-8088.

>Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater, 17011 NW 19th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33163

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, April 25, or while supplies last.

Walk-up. No appointment or pre-registration required.

>Congregation Shaaray Tefilah, 971 NE 172nd St, North Miami Beach, FL 33162

noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 25, or while supplies last.

Walk-up. No appointment or pre-registration required.

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About the Authors

Christina returned to Local 10 in 2019 as a reporter after covering Hurricane Dorian for the station. She is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and previously earned an Emmy Award while at WPLG for her investigative consumer protection segment "Call Christina."

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