Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Center Closes

The State of Florida has closed all monoclonal antibody treatment sites, including the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, as a result of the Food and Drug Administration’s “abrupt decision” to remove the emergency use authorization for two monoclonal antibodies.

Florida Department of Health Offers COVID-19 Vax to Children 5-11

The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County will begin offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5-11 years by appointment only starting on Friday, Nov.19, 2021.  To make an appointment call 772-462-3800, listen to menu and select option “1” to schedule a medical appointment.  A second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be needed three weeks after the first dose. This appointment will be made during the first visit.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.  To find out more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html.

Beware of Scams

Helpful tips for residents:
• Rely on trusted sources of information for COVID-19 testing and locations.
• Check to make sure a COVID-19 testing location is legitimate.

Residents are encouraged to be cautious of:
• Unexpected phone calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies.
• Offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing on social media sites.
• Purchasing at-home testing kits from street vendors.
• Individuals going door-to-door selling at-home testing kits.
• Links that seem questionable or are from unverified sources offering COVID-19 testing options.

Resources for reporting fraud and scams:
Complaints about fraudulent activity related to COVID-19 testing can be reported to the State of Florida Attorney General at MyFloridaLegal.com or call 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).

Complaints regarding laboratories associated with COVID-19 testing sites can be reported to the Agency for Health Care Administration by emailing CAU@AHCA.MyFlorida.com.

If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it immediately to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at TIPS.HHS.GOV or call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).

If you suspect illegal activity relating to FDA-regulated products, including fraudulent COVID-19 treatments, vaccines, and tests, report it to the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations at AccessData.FDA.gov/Scripts/Email/OC/OCI/Contact.cfm.

Information On Getting Tested

Those with the associated risk factors and symptoms of COVID-19 may be eligible to be tested. Coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Risk factors consist of close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case, travel to or from a Coronavirus affected area, recent history of international travel, age 65+ with chronic conditions and a weakened immune system. If you believe you have symptoms you should immediately contact your healthcare provider.

St. Lucie Medical Reserve Corps Seeks Volunteers

St. Lucie County is looking to build a reserve of qualified medical professionals to deal with an increase in COVID-19 cases if the need arises. The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County operates a Medical Reserve Corp that can be activated in emergencies such as the pandemic that is impacting Florida and the rest of the world. Any licensed healthcare professional who is willing to volunteer in the event there is a need for additional doctors, nurses, EMTs and other healthcare experts are encouraged to register at https://www.flhealthresponse.com/mrcvolunteer. Under Florida Statue 110 law, sovereign immunity is provided to volunteers. State Statue 768.28 is the Sovereign Immunity Law and 768.1355 is the Volunteer Protection Act which allows licensed professionals to volunteer, and have their licenses  protected. Every medical professional that registers will be vetted by the Florida Department of Health before being activated.

Vaccination Information

• • Florida Department of Health – COVID-19 Vaccines in Florida
  • COVID Vaccine Overview for Providers
    This document from the Florida Department of Health offers provider information for COVID-19 vaccine enrollment.
  • COVID Vaccine Flow Chart for Providers
    This document from the Florida Department of Health describes the COVID-19 Vaccine enrollment process for medical providers.

Additional Resources

You may find these additional resources helpful:

• • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    This website gives updates on the coronavirus in the United States, gives best practices for prevention and treatment and offers background information on the virus.
  • The World Health Organization
    This website gives information on the global status of the spread and response to coronavirus.
  • The State Department
    This website offers resources and background on the coronavirus, specifically in China. For those considering travelling abroad, please review the State Department’s list of travel advisories.
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs
    This website offers guidance for veterans and information about the VA’s response to COVID-19. Veterans going to the VA should be advised that they need to arrive early, due to screening procedures.
  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
    This website has resources for Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP coverage of coronavirus, including waivers and frequently asked questions.
  • Florida Department of Health
    #COVID19 Call Center: 866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov
  • St. Lucie County Department of Health:
    772-462-3800 or http://stlucie.floridahealth.gov/
  • City of Port St. Lucie:
    772-871-1775 (1PSL) or www.cityofpsl.com
  • City of Fort Pierce:
    772-467-3000 or https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/
  • UF/IFAS Extension:
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_covid19

Need Healthcare? HANDS of St. Lucie County may be able to help!

If you are 18-64 and financially qualify, you may have access to free primary healthcare.

To get started, you will need:

• Current Driver’s License or Photo ID
• Social Security Card
• Proof of St. Lucie County Residency
• Proof of Income or Letter Of Support

In addition, if you have your 2019 tax returns or a recent Medicaid Denial Letter please bring them. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we would like to try to help you even without these documents. We are here for you.Call the number below for help and to set your appointment with a Patient Navigator. We are here for you.

HANDS of St. Lucie County
A Volunteers in Medicine Affiliate
3855 South US 1, Suite B
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 462-5646