PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)– Seniors at the Bay County Council on Aging received their COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, thanks to a partnership between the Bay County Health Department, Bay County EMS and the Bay Town Trolley.
200 seniors were vaccinated at the Bay County Council on Aging, with many of them being transported by trolley, as they did not have the means to get there themselves.
“I finally got my COVID shot I’ve been waiting for it for quite a while,” said William Warner, a volunteer at the Bay County Council on Aging.
Jon Trappe is disabled and lives alone. He said he has also been waiting for the vaccine for some time, and he was elated when he got the call he had an appointment.
“A miracle — God has been so good to me,” he said.
About 40% of seniors in Bay County have been vaccinated, and while Congressman Neal Dunn said the county has come far with limited resources, there’s more work to be done.
“That means 60% have not been vaccinated so we are working hard on getting the rest of them, these efforts to get them to the elderly are the most important of all,” said Dunn.
While many seniors said they are relieved to finally be vaccinated, they said the fight is still not over.
“I take it very serious. I am a type two diabetic and I’ve had triple bypass surgery I take my health very seriously and this is not anything to be messed with,” Warner said.
Next week, the Bay County Health Department will also begin contacting those who have pre-registered to get the vaccine.
Heather Kretzer, Bay County Health Department’s Public Information Officer said she hopes this will streamline the process and make it easier on seniors.
To pre-register for this vaccine you can do so here or by calling 866-201-0712.
