STATE-WIDE – An executive order signed Friday by Governor Ron DeSantis is again changing the state’s vaccine 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 receive a vaccine
- Related stories:
Before the order, only hospitals could administer the vaccine to Floridians under 65 who were considered medically vulnerable.
Now doctors, along with registered nurses and pharmacists, will be able to vaccinate those under the age of 65 who have a doctor’s certificate showing that they are “extremely vulnerable” to COVID-19.
Vaccination criteria will still apply to Florida residents over the age of 65, primary care health professionals, and long-term care staff and residents.
According to the Florida Department of Health, more than 3 million Floridians have received at least one dose of vaccine in the sunny state so far. Of those, more than two million vaccines have gone to people over the age of 65.
This order is a big change for expanding access to high-risk Floridians who have been waiting their turn.
Representative Carlos Smith tweeted Sunday evening about the extension of the criteria: “If you are medically vulnerable under the age of 65 with a doctor’s certificate, the state confirms that you are eligible for vaccination. If their web portal hasn’t been updated to reflect this change at 7am, when it reopens tomorrow (Monday), just do what you can to try and make the appointment. You are eligible! Period.”
At the moment, this change only applies to doctor’s offices and pharmacies like Publix, not state-run vaccination sites.
According to the Publix website, it shows that from 7 a.m. Monday morning, customers eligible for the vaccine will be able to book an online appointment starting Wednesday, March 3, depending on the availability of the vaccine and the province.