Florida revokes Orange County’s access to COVID-19 database after release of vaccination information

ORANGE COUNTRY, Fla. Orange County health officials no longer have access to a critical nationwide database that provides local decision makers with information on COVID-19 vaccine distribution rates.

The move to revoke Orange County’s Department of Health database in Florida came after the county converted three heat cards as part of a public record request.

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The maps show the distribution of vaccines by postcode and do not disclose any released or personal information. WFTV was the first to report that the state had gained access to the database.

News 6 has been asking for similar public records from the Florida Department of Health since January. However, no records were provided by the state. DOH officials also ignored News 6’s requests for a status update on when reporters can expect the records.

Under the Florida Sunshine Act, officials are required to deliver public records within a reasonable time. Records may be kept of the public if the information is deemed to be exempt under state law.

News 6 reached out to health and government officials to find out what information could be considered released in the provided heat maps, but received no response.

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“The province is not taking legal action,” Orange County Public Information Officer Kelly Finkelstein asked as officials considered pushing back their withdrawn access to the database.

The maps are a few weeks old and show that lower-income neighborhoods, including Pine Hills (32808 and 32804), distributed fewer vaccines than higher-income historic communities such as Winter Park (32789 and 32792).

News 6 attended Mayor Jerry Demings for a comment on the variances in vaccine distribution.

Mayra Uribe, Orange County District Commissioner, said the decline in data Wednesday was the first time she had seen the state’s zip code.

“I want to know which communities have not been vaccinated,” Uribe said. “If the state knows who vaccinated them, they should share it with us so we can focus on the areas we are missing, where we are low.”

Uribe said it was important to know which postal codes had low vaccination rates, as the areas were likely to send better vaccinations due to hesitation.

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“I think it’s time. We are past the boom that is coming through. “Now we have to go through the weeds to reach out to individuals and make sure they have this opportunity,” Uribe said.

This is an evolving story and will be updated throughout the day as we learn more. Follow News 6’s Merris Badcock on Twitter for the latest information.