The Florida Department of Health in Marion County offers immunizations to the community, with different arrangements for children and adults. This guide covers how to schedule an appointment, what to bring, and how costs work, based on information published by the health department and the state Department of Health. More local health resources are on the Healthcare page.
A note on scope: the department's immunization information describes immunizations in general. This guide does not state which specific vaccines, including seasonal flu shots, are in stock at any given time. Ask when you call.
Scheduling an appointment
Immunization appointments at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County are scheduled by phone. The department's immunizations page says to call 352-629-0137 to schedule your appointment.
If you have a question about immunizations rather than an appointment, the department lists 352-629-0137, option 4, then 2. Keep those menu choices handy so you reach the right place.
What to bring
Visitors to the Marion County immunization clinic are asked to bring a picture ID and all previous immunization records. Gathering these before your visit helps the clinic understand which vaccines have already been given.
A quick preparation list:
- A picture ID
- All previous immunization records
- Any questions you want to ask when you call to schedule
If you cannot find older records, mention that when you call to schedule so you can ask how to proceed.
Vaccines for children
The Vaccines for Children Program offers immunizations at no cost for eligible children. Eligibility is based on age and circumstances. Children through 18 years of age who meet at least one of the following criteria can qualify:
- Medicaid-eligible
- Uninsured
- American Indian/Alaska Native
- Underinsured
A child needs to meet only one of those criteria. If you are not sure whether a child qualifies, the immunization line above is the place to ask.
Vaccines for adults
Adult immunizations are given through county health departments. According to the Florida Department of Health's adult and travel immunizations page, there are typically fees for immunization services for adults. However, assistance may be provided to individuals who are ages 19 and older that are uninsured or underinsured.
The published information does not list specific prices, so ask about the cost when you call to schedule. If you are uninsured or underinsured, ask at the same time whether assistance is available to you.
Step by step
- Call 352-629-0137 to schedule your appointment.
- Ask which vaccines you or your child need, and whether they are available.
- If the visit is for a child, ask whether the Vaccines for Children Program applies.
- If the visit is for an adult, ask about fees and whether assistance is available.
- Bring a picture ID and all previous immunization records.
Why records matter
The clinic asks for previous immunization records so that it can see what has already been given. Keeping those papers in one place makes each visit simpler, whether the appointment is for a child or an adult. If you have records from more than one provider, bring everything you have.
Where to find more
The Marion County department's immunization page and the state's adult immunization page are the sources for everything above, and they are the best places to check for updates. The site's Healthcare page gathers other local health information for Ocala and Marion County.
Who to contact
- Schedule an immunization appointment: Florida Department of Health in Marion County, 352-629-0137
- Immunization questions: 352-629-0137, option 4, then 2
- Department immunization information: Florida Department of Health in Marion County
- Adult immunization information: Florida Department of Health
Sources
Compiled from the official sources below.