The long-awaited COVID vaccine has become available to some residents of Miami-Dade, and a vaccine appointment has become the latest hot ticket. Not all residents are eligible for vaccines, and so far, demand is far outstripping supply. Appointments are quickly filled, but it pays to keep checking.
We’ve put together a guide to help you find a free COVID vaccine in Miami-Dade.
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Who can get a COVID vaccine in Miami-Dade?
- Residents and staff members of long-term care facilities.
- People 65 and older.
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact.
- People deemed especially vulnerable to COVID-19 by doctors hospital providers, such as cancer patients and others with serious illnesses. These people may need a doctor’s order to schedule a vaccine.
- First responders and community health care providers (at some locations).
Where are COVID vaccines being given in Miami-Dade?
Miami-Dade County has put together a COVID vaccine portal to share the latest news. This portal is one place to check for available vaccine appointments. Hospital systems and the Florida Department of Health are providing vaccines in Miami-Dade. Click on the name of the hospital for more information and to see if appointments are available. All vaccine sites require appointments. Check these sites often to see if new slots have opened.
Miami-Dade County is offering vaccine appointments in collaboration with local health providers. These are among the locations:
- Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St., Miami, FL 33155. This drive-in site is for residents 65 and older and appointments are required. Make an appointment at the county’s COVID vaccine portal.
- Zoo Miami, 2400 SW 152nd St., Miami, FL 33177. This site is for residents 65 and older and appointments are required. Make an appointment at the county’s COVID vaccine portal.
Miami-Dade County is providing vaccines at two other locations, with phone appointments. To make an appointment, call 888-499-0840. You may need to register on the ShareCare website.
- Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, FL 33056.
- Marlins Park, 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL 33125
Baptist Health South Florida is offering vaccines to residents 65 or older or people at high risk.
Jackson Health System is offering vaccines to people 65 and older. If you have been a patient at Jackson and qualify, you may be contacted and invited to get the vaccine, even if you can’t register online. Jackson is offering vaccinations at three locations:
- Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center, 1611 NW 12th Ave., Miami
- North Dade Health Center, 16555 NW 25th Ave., Miami Gardens
- Jackson South Medical Center, 9333 SW 152nd St., Miami
Jackson has also partnered with more than 25 religious organizations to help more people 65 and older get vaccinated. If your church, synagogue or mosque is on the list (and more are being added), you may hear from congregation leaders about getting an appointment. This the current list of houses of worship working with Jackson:
- Antioch Missionary Baptist Church (Miami Gardens)
- Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center
- The Bethel Church (Miami)
- Cathedral of Praise Worship Center (West Park)
- Community Bible Baptist Church (Richmond Heights)
- Covenant Missionary Baptist Church (Florida City)
- Faith Community Baptist Church (Pinewood)
- Historic St. John AME Church (South Miami)
- Immanuel Temple AME Church (Pembroke Pines)
- Islamic Center of Greater Miami (Miami Gardens)
- Martin Memorial AME Church (Richmond Heights)
- Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church (South Miami)
- Mt. Sinai Baptist Church (Miami)
- New Birth Baptist Church (Miami)
- New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church (Miami)
- New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (Miami)
- Second Baptist Church (Richmond Heights)
- Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (Kendall)
- St. Paul AME Church (Miami)
- St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church (Miami)
- Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church (Cutler Bay)
- Transformation Church (Goulds)
- Trinity Church and Peacemakers (Miami)
- United By Faith (Miami)
- Universal Truth Center (Miami Gardens)
Mount Sinai Medical Center is providing vaccines to people 65 and older and first responders. You can make an appointment online or call 305-674-2312 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Leon Medical Centers is providing vaccines to patients 65 and older with appointments. For an appointment, call 305-642-5366. Patients who need transportation should request that when they make their appointments.
Miami-Dade County is contacting homebound seniors who receive county services or live in county housing to arrange for their vaccinations. Walgreens and CVS will be sending personnel to vaccinate residents of long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities.
Miami-Dade County also is organizing some community vaccination drives in conjunction with local churches and organizations.
You can find information on COVID vaccines in Broward here.
Which vaccines are being given?
So far, two vaccines have been approved for use in the United States, and both are being given in South Florida. Residents receive two doses of the same type of vaccine.
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine requires two doses, 21 days apart. Click on the link to learn more about how this vaccine works.
- Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine requires two doses, 28 days apart. Click on the link to learn more about how this vaccine works.
When can younger people get vaccinated?
There is no specific timetable for the vaccine to be given to younger people, including essential workers. As more doses of vaccine become available, and other vaccines are approved, more people will be eligible for shots, and the vaccine will be available at more locations, including pharmacies and doctors’ offices.
More Information
- Florida Health Department COVID portal
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine information
Other Useful Resources
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- Where to get a COVID vaccine in Miami-Dade
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