Miami Dade College To Host Four Temporary On-Campus Vaccination Sites

In an effort to get more people vaccinated, Miami Dade College is hosting four temporary COVID-19 sites at several of its campuses in the next seven days.

The one-day pop-up facilities will be at the Homestead, Kendall, Hialeah and Wolfson campuses. 

“The more we can expand vaccination opportunities, the quicker our community can truly move beyond the pandemic,” said College President Madeline Pumariega. “Our North Campus super site has been extremely successful, especially in reaching underserved communities, and these new opportunities expand our reach.” 

Homestead Campus kicked off the initiative—a partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management—on May 4. 

The site at Kendall Campus will be open May 5. The Hialeah Campus facility will be available May 6 and the Wolfson Campus venue will be open May 11. 

All of the sites will operate from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. and will be available to students, faculty and the general public. Appointments are not needed but attendees must bring a document that proves their identity and Florida residency, such as a driver’s license or Florida ID.

The venues will administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which caused some controversy in early April after six recipients developed a rare blood clot disorder within two weeks of getting it.

Here are more details about the schedule of the remaining vaccination campaigns:

• May 5: Kendall Campus will offer the vaccine at the West Lot, located at the corner of English Avenue and N.E. 6th Street.
• May 6: Hialeah Campus will vaccinate people on Lot 5, located at the southeast side of the campus (attendees must use 17th Court Entrance).
• May 11: Wolfson Campus will give the shot on the Kyriakides Plaza, located in building 2 near the Student Life office.

As of Sunday, more than 6.3 million Florida residents—about 30 percent of the state’s population—have been vaccinated against COVID-19. 

All Floridians older than 18 have been eligible to get the shots since April 19. Minors ages 16-17 can receive the Pfizer vaccine, which is authorized for people who are 16 and up, if accompanied by a guardian.

“Our students, residents and small businesses have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic,” said Hialeah Campus President Anthony Cruz. “Offering the vaccine on our campus makes it much more convenient for our students and Hialeah community members. In addition, this campus effort also helps address the fact that Latinos and African-Americans have lagged behind other groups in vaccinations.”

Miami Dade College has assisted the community during the coronavirus pandemic in multiple ways. The North and Kendall campuses became testing sites on Jan. 20 and Homestead Campus followed suit on March 10. 

On March 3, North Campus became the first federal vaccination site in South Florida, giving 5,000 vaccinations per day. And previously, the College worked out a deal that makes it possible for its employees who are 65 and older to get the COVID-19 vaccine through the Jackson Memorial Health System. 

College officials said the dates of the pop-up sites could be extended beyond May 11. Additional information will be announced via email to the MDC community and on social media.

“Miami Dade College’s campuses are spread throughout Miami [so] anyone close to a campus can easily receive their vaccine in a day,” said Katherine Negrin-Rosales, the new Student Government Association president at Kendall Campus