JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Health officials are urging Jacksonville residents to take steps to keep one another safe this holiday season as omicron concerns grow.
Right now, the variant is the dominant coronavirus strain in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared on Monday.
The Florida Department of Health in Duval County is urging Jacksonville residents to get vaccinated and wear a mask, citing that omicron is expected to cause “the greatest surge” in COVID-19 cases in the coming months.
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“We understand that this is a time of year for gatherings and celebrations, but we are also urging residents to remain vigilant with prevention efforts — especially getting vaccinated,” said Ernesto Rubio, interim health officer at FDOH in Duval County. “If you have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, now is the time.”
Officials said evidence shows that the new variant is two to three times as contagious as the delta variant, and four to six times as contagious as the original strain of the virus.
Outside of getting vaccinated or wearing a mask indoors in public, the DOH suggests to take a COVID-19 test before and after attending a gathering with those who don’t live in your household, regardless of your vaccine status. They also say to continue hand-washing and consider avoiding large crowds.
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The following locations in Jacksonville are available for walk-in COVID-19 testing and/or vaccinations:
Emmett Reed Community Center
1093 W. 6th St. Jacksonville, FL 32209
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cuba Hunter Community Center
4380 Bedford Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32207
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
South Jacksonville Immunization Center
3225 University Blvd. S. Suite 200 Jacksonville, FL 32216
COVID-19 Vaccines only
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Second weekend of each month, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pearl Immunization Center
5322 N. Pearl St. Jacksonville, FL 32208
COVID-19 Vaccines only
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fourth weekend of each month, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Care Center (CCC)
515 W. 6th St. Jacksonville, FL 32206
COVID-19 Vaccines only
Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
For other locations, visit FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov/.