USF to open new vaccine sites for students, faculty, staff

The University of South Florida will expand its vaccination operations to students, faculty and staff this week after receiving about 2,000 additional doses from Hillsborough County.

On Monday, the university opened a site at the Sarasota campus. From Tuesday to Thursday, a site on the Tampa campus will be open to those eligible. And on Friday a site at the St. Petersburg campus will be open.

The university began administering vaccines in January with an initial supply of 2,300 doses. The effort was discontinued after supplies ran out, but restarted as more doses were made available.

University spokesman Adam Freeman said in an email that students were previously surveyed about interest in the vaccine and many of those contacted said they’ve already received doses elsewhere.

“USF still expects many students will utilize vaccine distribution sites in their local communities that have a much larger supply, and we have encouraged them to find it from those other sources rather than waiting on the university to receive more doses,” Freeman wrote.

He also said many nonveteran students, faculty and staff have been able to get vaccinated through receiving extra doses at the Yuengling Center on campus, operated by the James Haley VA for veterans and their families.