In the first week after being elected I went inside a COVID Intensive Care Unit here at a local hospital in Riverview. I saw first-hand as our neighbors laid on their stomachs, their ventilators beeped away indicating that they were already getting the maximum amount of oxygen possible, and yet they laid there gasping for air. The front-line healthcare workers were doing God's work, but the families were kept out and suffering was all around.

That's why yesterday was so special... I toured our newest Florida Department of Emergency Management and FEMA vaccine site in Tampa.

I want to thank Pastor Jomo Cousins from Love First Christian Center for joining me today for a tour inside the Department of Emergency Management and FEMA's Tampa Vaccine Hub. It is open 7 days a week from 7am - 7pm and starting tomorrow will accept anyone 50+ and those with underlying health issues with no appointment needed!

The site is at the corner of I-275 and Waters Street in Tampa, plan for about 30-minutes to get your shot. You only need to bring an ID *unless* you're under-50 and need a shot due to a pre-existing medical condition in which case you need to also bring your CDC card signed by your doctor.

If you are outside of the area, there are four such sites in Florida. Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami. Additionally, you can get a vaccine at many Publix, Walmart, and CVS locations. Here's the link to our state-wide vaccine site locator.

I for one cannot wait to get my life back, see my family and friends again, and uninstall Zoom! These vaccines are safe and effective and will help us get back to normal as quickly as possible. 

If you have questions about when or how to get your shot, please call my office at (813) 657-7781.