Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried checks in to get vaccinated at the Lawson Center.
The Florida A&M University Lawson Center vaccination site welcomed Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for her first shot Thursday.
Fried was joined by FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., as she received a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Fried said she wanted to send a message to people that the vaccine was safe and that getting it was vital if things are to return to a pre-pandemic normal.
“Thanks to the incredible staff here at Florida A&M University, it was quick and easy to get the vaccine today. I want to encourage everybody to get their vaccine once eligible, and I wanted to show everyone today across our state and country how important it is to get yourself vaccinated,” Fried said. “This is how we’re saving lives and getting past this pandemic – we’re all in this together, so follow the science and get this vaccine created by experts. It’s safe, reliable, and the only way we’re going to get back to some semblance of normality, protect our friends and loved ones, and put this virus behind us.”
Fried is Florida’s first and only statewide elected official to publicly receive the vaccine.
“Thank God, we’ve had an opportunity to be here at FAMU and to you for showing your leadership, President Robinson,” she continued. “Hopefully, we’ll see more and more people coming to these sites like this all over the state of Florida as our numbers for ages continue to drop.”
Robinson was one of the first senior FAMU officials to get the vaccine. He received his first and second shots in front of TV cameras in an effort to encourage others to get the vaccine. Robinson is urging residents to trust the science and get vaccinated.
The Lawson Center site is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, seven days a week. Residents 40 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine. Beginning Monday, April 5, those 18 and over can get vaccinated. Visitors to the site are asked to bring their ID to show proof of their date of birth.
FAMU’s Bragg Stadium is home to a state operated COVID-19 testing site. As of this week, the location has conducted more than 300,000 tests.
