Stocks are growing, but doses of COVID-19 vaccines are still relatively limited in Florida.
So, after relaying the state’s priorities several times over the past week, Governor Ron DeSantis put them in black and white on Wednesday.
He signed an executive order to ensure that all Florida seniors are first in line to get vaccinated. most vulnerable people are protected.
What you need to know
- Executive order puts people over 65 at the front of the queue
- CDC proposes to give priority to people 75 and older, then vaccinate all seniors and essential workers
- DeSantis says he will not be vaccinated until vulnerable populations are protected
“Our seniors will be our first priority in the general community to get the COVID vaccine. As you know, for the first week and now this week with the hospitals, we have focused on long-term care residents, staff of long-term care facilities and primary health workers, doctors and nurses, who deal with coronavirus patients day after day. and day out, ”said DeSantis at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
“We think that is very, very important to reduce mortality by reducing the number of people who need to be hospitalized after COVID-19.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people 75 and older get initial rounds of vaccination. DeSantis says his executive order places anyone 65 and older in that category.
The CDC also proposes placing young essential workers on the same priority level as those aged 65-74. DeSantis says that’s what will happen in Florida.
“The problem is that people aged 73, 74 are standing in the back of line for a young, 21-year-old employee who has considered quoting ‘essential’ – I don’t think that’s right. So for us in Florida, we make it clear in this executive order that our first priority for the general population – once the nurses, doctors, and long-term care facilities are ready – is to vaccinate people 65 and older. DeSantis explained.
But age isn’t the only factor to consider.
“We also say for hospitals, regardless of age, if there is someone extremely vulnerable to COVID, then of course use your medical judgment,” DeSantis said. “So if you have a cancer patient of something, we naturally want to give hospitals the opportunity to do it.”
Whether or not the 42-year-old governor will be vaccinated before some of Florida’s more vulnerable residents. DeSantis promised that will not happen.
“In terms of elected officials jumping over the line – you’re not going to see that with me,” DeSantis said.