Hillsborough County has opened a COVID-19 vaccine clinic where teaches and school staff of all ages can get vaccinated.

The decision follows a federal recommendation that came out last week.

The county is expecting to vaccinate about 1,000 people a day at the Ed Radice Sports Complex located at 14720 Ed Radice Drive in Tampa.

While they are vaccinating other eligible groups at the sports complex, too, the main focus in on educators and educational staff.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Emergency Management Spokesman Jay Rajyaguru said they are including employees of public and private schools, charter schools and pre-schools.

"We're also looking at potentially opening up some other sites so we can expand our vaccine capability," he said.

Sonia Alvarez and Shelley Barthel are teachers who carpooled to the vaccine clinic. They proudly showed off their vaccination cards once they made it through the line.

"We are super excited, so very excited. Finally, it's about time for us to get our shots. We appreciate it," said Alvarez.

School administrators said staff members are eager to be armed with some protection against the virus, particularly as more students are returning to in-person learning.

"A lot of our staff has been a little anxious about everything. The kids have been great. We've been in full school mode with some distance learning but I think everyone is really ready to get vaccinated and feel a little bit more comfortable about being at school," said Dawn Schweitzer, an administrator at Carrollwood Day School.

Several local school districts said they are not keeping a count how many employees are getting vaccinated and they're not requiring staff to get the shots but they have been working to make sure vaccinations are available.

"I'm really surprised at how efficient and how it's flowing really well here and it's so easy to get out here and get the vaccine," said Shawn Etheridge, a sixth-grade teacher.

To get a vaccine at the Ed Radice Sports Complex, you need to have an appointment. The site to sign up for that is http://www.patientportalfl.com