COVID-19 vaccine, testing sites run by Miami-Dade to permanently close, officials say
Miami-Dade County is winding down its remaining coronavirus testing and vaccination programs this weekend as the World Health Organization announced Friday the COVID-19 pandemic no longer represents a “world health emergency”.
“I am enormously proud of our extraordinary response to the COVID-19 pandemic by putting in place and scaling effective public health programs, partnering closely with our cities and local businesses to protect residents and visitors, and keeping our economy moving forward,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement.
The mayor confirmed Thursday that she had contracted COVID for the third time but was experiencing only mild symptoms.
Over the last few weeks, COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites operating under the partnership of Miami-Dade and Nomi Health have been slowing down operations. On Saturday, these sites will permanently close.
READ MORE: Miami-Dade mayor has COVID again. A high-profile reminder the virus remains
The county said the closure is in preparation for the expiration of the federal public health emergency announced by President Joe Biden earlier this year. The public health emergency was originally declared by the United States Department of Health and Human Services back in January 2020.
While access to vaccines will generally not be affected, at-home tests may not be covered by insurance providers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Also, medication to prevent severe COVID-19, like Paxlovid, will be free while supplies last but the price will then be determined by the medication manufacturer and health insurance coverage.
Miami-Dade said over 2 million residents were vaccinated during the pandemic’s stretch due to the efforts of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Police Department, emergency management personnel and healthcare workers.
The county has launched mobile units to bring vaccines to communities, knocked on about 200,000 doors in under-vaccinated neighborhoods and set-up large sites.
“We are also very proud of our residents who stepped up to protect themselves, their families and neighbors,” Levine Cava said. “As we look to the future, we will continue to invest in the public health infrastructure that we built during the pandemic and remain vigilant against future variants and other possible public health challenges.”
Officials still urge the community to be vigilant by staying informed and continuing to follow recommended safety precautions. Residents can also still find at-home tests for sale at pharmacies and online.
This story was originally published May 5, 2023 at 8:33 PM.
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