COVID-19 footage now available to Floridians aged 50 and over

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – All Floridians 50 and older were eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine from Monday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis amended his executive order on Friday by lowering the age, saying nearly 70% of Florida seniors have been vaccinated and demand is dropping among those currently eligible for shots.

Through Sunday, only people 60 and older, health professionals, school workers, first responders age 50 and older, and people deemed medically vulnerable to COVID-19 by a physician were eligible for shots in Florida.

“We are excited about the progress,” said DeSantis. “I think the demand has softened so much that the opening to over 50 will be good. We will keep an eye on how it goes next week. “

Long lines lined up when the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s vaccination site in the Gateway Mall opened Monday morning – longer lines than seen since the site opened weeks ago. There was also added security, and a television production company was formed in anticipation of Vice President Kamala Harris coming by the site Monday afternoon on a visit to Jacksonville.

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“It was very easy,” said Linda Knight after receiving her first dose. “They explained everything before they did it to me and then they let me sit for 15 minutes so that when I get up they know it already was me. When I got up, I looked at that young man, I said, “I’m fine!” “

Later in the day, before Harris’ visit to the site, there were smaller lines. News4Jax photographer Kevin Talley was eligible to receive the vaccine on Monday and got through it in less than 20 minutes.

“I am amazed how efficient it is. It’s not a waste of time. You go in, you give them your information, they give you a chance, ”he said. ‘You will be there for 20 minutes. You then have to wait 15 minutes for a response. It’s efficient. “

Mercedes Parker, who was vaccinated on the spot, like many others, believes that age restrictions should be abolished altogether.

“I think they should give everyone the opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Parker.

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DeSantis has said the next step will be to open up vaccinations to anyone who wants one.

“I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen, but I can tell you it will definitely be before May 1. That’s not even a question, so stay tuned,” DeSantis said.

At around 11 a.m. Monday, there was no line at the state-run vaccination site in the Regency Square Mall.

WHEN? TRUE? HOW? Getting vaccinated in Northeast Florida

As of Sunday, the Florida Department of Health said 4,911,786 people have received at least one dose of vaccine and 2,713,248 have been fully vaccinated – that’s nearly 22% of all adults in the state.

DeSantis’ announcement came the day after Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said he was making vaccines available to people 40 and older in the Orlando area, which is home to several major theme parks. DeSantis criticized the decision.

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“It’s not his decision to make,” DeSantis said. Orange County is below the state average for vaccinated seniors. They are at 63%. Trying to do healthy 40-year-olds instead of maybe finding a few more seniors wouldn’t be the direction I’d be going for me. “

On Friday morning, Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County, announced that the county-run vaccination sites will open March 29 to anyone 40 and older.

On Saturday, Florida surpassed 2 million cases of COVID-19 since the first cases were identified on March 1, 2020.