CENTRAL FLORIDA – Starting Monday, Orlando Health is expanding its vaccine distribution program, meaning patients 65 and older in the health care system can make vaccine appointments in Central Florida.
Beginning Monday, seniors 65 and older in Orlando Health can book appointments at six locations in Orange, Lake and Osceola counties.
- Orlando Health Emergency Room – Lake Mary, 380 Rinehart Rd., Lake Mary, FL, 32746
- Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – Summerport, 5151 Winter Garden Vineland Rd., Windermere, FL, 34787
- Orlando Health – Health Central Park – Winter Garden, 411 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL, 34787
- Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – St. Cloud, 1330 Budinger Ave., St. Cloud, FL, 34769
- Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute – Downtown Orlando, 1222 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL, 32806
- Orlando Health South Lake Hospital Emergency Room – Blue Cedar, 22316 US Highway 27, Leesburg, FL, 34748
It is part of an extension of the vaccine distribution program. Leaders said that due to the limited supply, scheduling information will be communicated directly to those who qualify through a randomization process.
Gov. Ron DeSantis made sure seniors who got the vaccine got the focus of his Bay County press conference on Sunday morning.
“By putting seniors first, we are doing the right thing through our parents and grandparents. It’s morally right to do, it’s also medically right to do. It’s based on the data, the fact is, this virus has been more deadly to older people, ”said DeSantis.
He spoke at a Bay County senior care facility and explained why older people should be prioritized.
“This virus is more deadly to the elderly than middle-aged, so focusing on the over-65s is the best we can do to reduce morbidity and mortality,” said DeSantis.
Statistics from the Florida Department of Health show that more than 235,000 seniors have already received their first dose. Of those, 133,000 are in the range of 65-74 years old.
DeSantis said he and other officials hope the state will get an additional 250,000 vaccines next week, and that they will work with hospitals, Publix and other locations to get the vaccines.
“We know who’s doing it right, we know where to put the vaccine,” DeSantis said.
Spectrum News 13 reporter Justin Soto contributed to this story.