Caregivers who bring someone aged 65+ to receive a vaccine can also receive an injection

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Facebook post from Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) in the state of Florida may give the impression that anyone who takes a person 65 or older to the federal vaccination site at Gateway Mall on Saturday may have a chance, but that is not entirely true.

Healthcare providers who accompany eligible seniors to get vaccinated are eligible for an injection – as Gibson’s kite is called – but not “everyone who brings a senior can be vaccinated,” as the text lower in her post read.

While it is not set out in the state or federal guidelines for the FEMA vaccination site, health care providers can take a chance if they supervise an individual they care for, if that person is 65 or older, FEMA spokeswoman Kimber Kipp confirmed to News4Jax .

Some states have specific criteria to define health care providers. News4Jax is trying to find out if Florida has any rules.

Gibson’s flyer is promoting a We Care event on Saturday from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Norwood Avenue venue.

Bring your loved one 65 and up and meet me for We Care – Everyone Gets One! honey dippers and ice cream event! the flyer reads.

Gibson said the event she’s promoting is to encourage more seniors to get their vaccines, as the Gateway site hasn’t used all of the available vaccine every day.

Current qualifications for Florida federal sites, including Gateway Mall:

Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
Persons aged 65 and over
Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact
K-12 School Employees of Any Age
Sworn law enforcement officers 50 and older
Firefighters aged 50 and over

While Gibson’s event hours are limited, the Gateway site is open seven days a week from 7am to 7pm.

“I’m so happy because it protects me and protects other people,” said Maria Gomez as she left Gateway on Friday.

Gomez’s 21-year-old cousin also gets an injection. He was eligible because of a medical condition, but he is said to have been her caregiver and he believes this is crucial to managing this pandemic.

“I think it is important, especially if you are caring for an older population,” said Ibraheem Ahmed. “They’re more susceptible to the virus, so it’s important they can get it both.”

There will be another change in criteria Monday, when the age of eligibility for a vaccine drops to 60 at all Florida locations, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

And the FEMA-operated satellite locations currently in the Normandy Community Center and Hammond Senior Center will close on Saturday and move and open in new locations for the next 10 days. They offer a choice of Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Carver Center, 777 South 5th Street, Jacksonville Beach
Oceanway Community Center, 12215 Sago Ave. W., Jacksonville

People who wish to get vaccinated at one of the federal sites or the state-run site in Regency Square are encouraged to pre-register by going to the state’s online site – myvaccine.fl.gov – or by going through the Duval County booking number – 866-200-3762. However, appointments are not required.

For links to all pharmacy filings and state-run vaccination sites in other counties, click on our story Where to Get COVID-19 Vaccines in Northeast Florida.

Transportation is available. Call JTA at 904-630-3100 to arrange a ride.

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