This browser does not support the Video element.
State to reopen vaccine site in The Villages
Florida is expecting to get more than 300,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine this week. That's 40,000 more doses than usual. The state also announced that a drive-through vaccination site in The Villages that was closed last week will be reopening.
THE VILLAGES, Fla. - The drive-thru vaccination site in The Villages that previously closed due to a lack of supply will reopen this Thursday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Monday.
The site was contracted by Global Medical Response (GMR). The director for the company, Terrence Ramotar, previously said that "we did become a well-oiled machine and we got rave reviews from the community until we had to face the fact that the supply was going to be interrupted for that site."
Gov. DeSantis explained on Monday that "there was a lot of demand and they went through that very quickly."
MORE NEWS: Biden to meet with Republican senators proposing $618 billion virus aid
7,000 people 65 and older had their appointments canceled as a result.
However, Gov. DeSantis announced on Monday that more vaccines are coming to Florida. The state is scheduled to receive 327,000 initial doses this week -- a 40,000 dose increase.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Gov. DeSantis announces reopening of drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site in The Villages
The drive-thru vaccination site in The Villages had to previously close after administering 4,000 vaccines due to a lack of supply.
With that, The Villages vaccination site can reopen. The Governor explained that "I said look, the places that are doing well, that are showing that they can use these doses, as we get more vaccines delivered, we're going to make sure we're going to send more into those communities."
MORE NEWS: Major winter storm dumps snow on Northeast, shutting down COVID-19 vaccine sites
In addition, this site will be a permanent vaccination site as the Governor said that 4,000 doses will be allocated specifically for The Villages this week and will continue to be as long as supply keeps coming into the state.
Ramotar previously told FOX 35 that those who were canceled on "will not lose their place in line. As soon as we get the vaccine, we'll pick back up where we left off."
This browser does not support the Video element.
Thousands of seniors have vaccine appointments put on hold
Some 65,000 senior citizens in The Villages who had appointments to get their coronavirus vaccine shot have been told that they will have to wait.
He said that more than 70,000 registered in their system expressing interest in getting vaccinated at their vaccine site in The Villages. One by one, once they know the vaccine is coming, they will start giving those who registered a code to sign up for a vaccine appointment. Ramotar explained they have a three-month contract with the state to start, and will keep extending it as long as there is a need to vaccinate people.
MORE NEWS: PHOTOS: 18 years since the tragic Columbia Space Shuttle disaster
The Villages vaccination site will reopen on Thursday.
Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest Central Florida news.
This browser does not support the Video element.