All Adults Eligible to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine Soon

Dear friends and neighbors,

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, five million Floridians have been vaccinated! To keep the momentum going, ALL adults and 16 and 17 year-olds in Florida will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on April 5th. There’s still a long road ahead, but the end of the pandemic is within our reach. Our community is strong and resilient and I know that if each of us does our part to get vaccinated, we can get through this together.

Today, I hosted a town hall to answer all of your questions on how the American Rescue Plan helps our Central Florida community. The nearly $500 million in direct aid for Orange, Osceola and Polk Counties brings us much-needed resources to ramp up vaccinations, safely reopen schools, assist our small businesses and move our community forward.

For more information on the American Rescue Plan, visit my website here.

Watch our American Rescue Plan Town Hall

In the District

Honoring our Vietnam War Veterans

Today, I was honored to pay tribute to Central Florida's Vietnam War veterans in a 50th Commemoration Pin ceremony hosted by the Orlando VA Healthcare System. As we lead up to National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, let us all come together to thank these heroes for their extraordinary sacrifices in service to our nation.

Remembering a Fallen Hero

This week, Team Soto said goodbye to fallen Orlando Police Department Officer Kevin Valencia, who died earlier this month from injuries sustained while responding to a domestic violence call in 2018. Our sincerest condolences to his family and his OPD brothers and sisters.

Standing Against Asian Hate with AAPI Youth

The rise in hate crimes and violence against the AAPI community demands more than just thoughts and prayers. This week, I joined Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Congresswoman Grace Meng and Future Forum Members in an inspiring conversation on how we can work together to stand with AAPI youth and stop Asian hate.

Watch our full conversation here

Talking to Casa Venezuela Orlando about Venezuela TPS

I was pleased to host a town hall with Casa de Venezuela Orlando to speak about TPS for Venezuelans and answer specific questions regarding the process. We will continue speaking out to ensure that everyone who is eligible can apply!

In Washington, D.C.

Holding Tech CEOs Accountable

Soto Questions Facebook CEO on Spanish-language Misinformation Online

Before the Capitol insurrection, domestic terrorists plotted on Google, Facebook and Twitter. This week, I asked their CEOs to outline their plans for accountability and transparency to ensure that these types of attacks can be prevented in the future. I also asked Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, if he would commit to improving Spanish-language moderation systems.

Moving Central Florida's Infrastructure Forward

Soto Speaks in Support of LIFT America Act

By modernizing our infrastructure, we can integrate into clean energy, protect safe drinking water, expand internet access and upgrade our healthcare system. It’s time to Build Back Better and move Central Florida forward with the LIFT America Act!

Congressional Art Competition

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in the District

Floridians who are eligible can pre-register for a vaccine appointment NOW. After registration, individuals will be notified when appointments become available in their area.

The state is frequently updating vaccine eligibility qualifications, so it is best to visit this website to monitor changes in criteria. Currently, eligible residents include long-term care facility residents and staff, persons 50 years of age and older, persons deemed medically vulnerable by a physician, health care personnel with direct patient contact, ALL K-12 educators and child care workers, and sworn law enforcement officers and firefighters 50 years of age and older.

Pre-register here

If you live in Polk and Orange Counties, please continue to use their websites. To register in Polk County, click here. To register in Orange County, click here.

COVID-19 Vaccines by County

As COVID-19 infections rise in Central Florida, we are working with local officials to provide up-to-date information on vaccinations. For more information on your county's distribution plans, please visit the websites linked below.

Orange County

Osceola County

Polk County

COVID-19 Vaccine Hotlines

Orange County

Scheduling: 866-201-3604

TTY: 833-476-1024

Osceola County

Scheduling: 866-201-6507

TTY: 833-476-1516

Polk County

Scheduling: 866-201-7132

TTY: 833-476-1033

Florida has many sites that are providing COVID-19 vaccines to eligible persons. Please be aware that some locations are only serving very specific populations. Appointments may be required and vaccine availability will vary from day to day and week to week, as we work to provide vaccines to the most vulnerable first.

Click here for a full list of vaccine sites in Florida

Click here for a vaccine finder

Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Community Vaccination Sites

Many local pharmacies and community sites are offering the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents. As we receive more information, we will update our list to ensure that everyone has access to these vaccination opportunities. At the moment, vaccinations are available at:

Publix

ALL Publix locations will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine
Scheduling opens on Monday at 7 a.m. ET.
To register, please click here

CVS

To register, please click here

Walmart

Supercenter 1086, located at 4400 13th Street, Saint Cloud, FL 34769
Supercenter 817, located at 4444 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Neighborhood Market 4159, located at 2850 E Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34743
To register, please click here

Sam’s Club

To determine eligibility and register, please click here

Winn-Dixie

To register, please click here

FEMA Site - Valencia Community College in Orlando

Open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
No appointment necessary

FEMA Site - Orange County Library South Trail Branch

Located at 4600 Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32839
Walk-up only
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. (or until supply allotments are reached), seven days a week.

Orange County Convention Center

Appointments open on Monday at 9 a.m.
Open to anyone 40 years of age or older
To register, please click here.

FDOH Orange County - Night Lite Pediatrics Urgent Care

Located at 1267 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Vaccinations be offered by appointment only Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Individuals can schedule an appointment here or by calling 407-569-0220

Centro Cristiano Dios De Pactos Church

Located at 1130 Simmons Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Vaccinations provided by appointment only
Individuals can pre-register here

Chambers Park Community Center in Osceola County

Located at 2380 Smith Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Vaccines offered on a first-come, first-served basis
Opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 2 p.m. or when vaccines run out

65^th Infantry Veterans Park

Site will run seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – or until the day’s doses are depleted
The site is expected to remain open through the end of May

Orlando VA Healthcare System at Lake Nona*

Located at 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827
Appointments and walk-ins available
Opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.

Orlando VA Healthcare System at Lake Baldwin*

Located at 5201 Raymond Street, Orlando, FL 32803
Appointments offered from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and walk-ins until 1 p.m.

*To schedule an appointment, call (407)631-0499, Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

*Open to all Veterans who receive care at VA regardless of age.

*Veterans must be enrolled and eligible for VA health care benefits. Veterans must be able to return to the clinic they received their first shot at for a second dose.

Rental Assistance for Central Floridians

The programs below have been established to help residents in Polk, Orange and Osceola Counties with rental and housing costs.

Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

For additional information and to apply, please click here.

Osceola County Emergency Rental Assistance/Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention

To access the screening form, please click here.

Polk County Eviction Prevention Program

To apply, please click here.

Food Drive and Face Mask Distribution Event

“We’ve Opened Safely” Program

Osceola County is working to promote safety and consumer confidence as businesses start to re-open in our district. The county is also allocating funding towards an emergency grant program for locally owned and independently operated small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. Click here for more information.

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Cost Reimbursement

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. For further information, please click here. We will provide an update once a toll-free phone number is developed.

Special Open Enrollment

On January 28, in light of the twin health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Joe Biden issued an executive order creating a Special Enrollment Period from February 15 until August 15. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and their job-based health coverage due to the pandemic. During these challenging times, having health coverage is more important than ever. Thanks to President Biden, there is now a Special Enrollment Period to give you the opportunity to enroll in coverage for the remainder of 2021.

Learn more at HealthCare.gov.

Tax Day Extension

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that Tax Day will be moved to May 17, 2021. For more information, please click here.

I am proud to be your representative and look forward to our continued efforts to improve our district! Please do not hesitate to call my office with any questions or concerns.

In Community,