STATE-WIDE – An executive order signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday changes the state’s vaccination criteria so that some Floridians under the age of 65 can be vaccinated.
What you need to know
- Those who are ‘extremely vulnerable’ to COVID-19 can get vaccinated
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Prior to the order, only hospitals could administer the vaccine to Floridians under 65 who were considered medically vulnerable.
Now doctors, as well as registered nurses and pharmacists, can vaccinate those under the age of 65 who have a doctor’s certificate showing that they are ‘extremely vulnerable’ to COVID-19.
Criteria for vaccination will still be Florida residents over 65 years of age, frontline health workers, staff and residents for long-term care facilities.
To date, according to the Florida Department of Health, more than 3 million Floridians have received at least one dose of vaccine in the sunshine state. Of these, more than two million vaccines went to those over 65 years of age.
This order is a major change for expanding access to Floridians waiting their turn.
Rep. Carlos Carlos tweeted on Sunday night about extending the criteria, saying: ‘If you are medically vulnerable under the age of 65 with a doctor’s letter, the state confirms that you are eligible to be vaccinated. If their web portal has not been updated by 7am when it reopens tomorrow (Monday), just do what you can to book the appointment. You are eligible! Period. ”
At present, this change only applies to doctors’ offices and pharmacies such as Publix, not to state-controlled vaccines.
According to Publix’s website, it appears that customers who are eligible for the vaccine can make an appointment online from 07:00 on Monday morning from Wednesday 3 March, depending on the availability of vaccine and provinces.