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Ron DeSantis: Florida Making Progress in Offering COVID-19 Vaccines to Seniors

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Since the beginning of the public health emergency, DeSantis has directed that individuals 65 and older be prioritized to receive the vaccine. As a result of this direction, more than 301,000 individuals age 65 and older have been vaccinated in Florida – more than 50 percent of the total vaccinated in the state. This is an increase of more than 223,000 seniors over the course of one week.

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On Monday, as Florida entered its fifth week of vaccine distribution, Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted the Sunshine State’s progress on vaccinating seniors age 65 and older.

Since the beginning of the public health emergency, DeSantis has directed that individuals 65 and older be prioritized to receive the vaccine. As a result of this direction, more than 301,000 individuals age 65 and older have been vaccinated in Florida – more than 50 percent of the total vaccinated in the state. This is an increase of more than 223,000 seniors over the course of one week.

According to publicly available age demographic data, Florida has the highest percentage of vaccine doses administered to seniors 65 and older. Additionally, last week (week 4), more than 327,000 individuals were vaccinated in Florida – more than the entire number of individuals who were vaccinated in the first three weeks of the vaccine being available in the Sunshine State.

“Florida is putting seniors first and more than 50 percent of the total vaccinations administered in the state have been for individuals 65 and older, and we continue to accelerate this rate,” said DeSantis. “Last week, Florida vaccinated 223,000 seniors, which was nearly 70 percent of the people vaccinated in week four. We have nearly 4.5 million seniors in the state and prioritizing them for the vaccine is the most effective tool we have to battle the pandemic. Both nationwide and in Florida, seniors 65 and older account for more than 80 percent of all COVID-related deaths. Although the vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, we are remaining proactive so that when additional supply does come, our infrastructure will be able to process it.”

The governor’s office showcased his efforts including the following:

  • Governor DeSantis announced a state partnership with Publix Supermarkets to establish COVID-19 vaccination sites through a new pilot program at 22 of their stores in Marion, Hernando and Citrus counties.
  • Governor DeSantis directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to work with the Florida Department of Health to identify state-run COVID-19 testing sites that can convert into vaccine sites. The first of these opened at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium last week. The site will offer 1,000 doses if the vaccine per day.
  • Governor DeSantis directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to identify places of worship and other locations in underserved communities where the vaccine may be administered. Seven sites were identified and have the capacity to administer 500 doses each of the vaccine per day. The locations are:
Lynn Haven Senior Center, 905 Pennsylvania Ave. Lynn Haven, FL 32444
New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 400 NW 9th Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Koinonia Worship Center, 4900 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd Hollywood, FL 33023
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 501 W. Orange Ave. Tallahassee, FL 32310
John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2504 Chipco St. Tampa, FL 33605
Bernadette Catholic Church, 350 NW California Blvd. Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Matthew Baptist Church, 3811 Moncrief Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32209
  • Governor DeSantis directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to immediately hire 1,000 contract nurses to support vaccination efforts. These nurses are being deployed throughout the entire state to help run vaccination sites. These nurses will supplement the many personnel already in the field, including 800 Florida National Guardsmen, who have been supporting the state’s response since the beginning of the pandemic.
  • Governor DeSantis directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to assume additional responsibilities regarding the administration of vaccines in more than 4,000 long-term care facilities across the state. These efforts will supplement and accelerate the vaccinations being undertaken by CVS and Walgreens, pursuant to their agreement with the federal government.
  • Governor DeSantis announced the opening of two new vaccination sites operated by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital – one at Pensacola’s Olive Baptist Church, and the other at the Milton Community Center.
See also  DeSantis Signs Bill to Prohibit Children Under 14 from Creating Social Media Accounts, Requiring Parental Consent for 14-15 Year Olds

 

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  • Florida Daily

    Florida Daily offers news, insights and analysis as we cover the most important issues in the state, from education, to business and politics.

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Mary Susan Dodson

    January 12, 2021, 4:39 pm at 4:39 pm

    I am a 69 VietNam Veteran and the Tallahassee Outpatient Clinic has administered vaccinations to non essential
    Employees last week in December. I made it known on Dec 28, 2019 that Inwas requesting the vaccine. I was told maybe 3!weeks !
    It would be available.

  2. Nancy

    January 12, 2021, 4:43 pm at 4:43 pm

    Registered one week ago yesterday we are 87 and 89, have not heard from Putnam County as of today for first shot

  3. Lorraine

    January 12, 2021, 4:47 pm at 4:47 pm

    Well…Indian River County has a vaccination site at the Fairgrounds; however, the software that supports making appointments is not able to handle the volume & the call center is also overwhelmed! This needs to be addressed to ensure all seniors 65 & older get both vaccinations to be effective. TIA

  4. V mangini

    January 12, 2021, 4:52 pm at 4:52 pm

    What is Gov DeSantis doing for seniors in Palm Beach County? Where do 80 and 85 year olds go for the vaccine?

  5. Linda Stanley

    January 12, 2021, 6:56 pm at 6:56 pm

    Highlands County is giving vaccine 4 hrs a day 3 days a wk. Very slow. We are 76 and 74. Registered but still waiting for confirmation.

  6. Joe Smith

    January 12, 2021, 7:39 pm at 7:39 pm

    Stay home until you get it if you are worried!

  7. Rebecca Kennedy

    January 12, 2021, 7:48 pm at 7:48 pm

    We have yet to be able to get shots.
    My husband is 87 and I am 84
    With health problems.r

  8. Suzanne Lee

    January 12, 2021, 7:50 pm at 7:50 pm

    You might want to have Florida A&M University Covid also administer the COVID canine too! It the the best testing site in Tallahassee with very pleasant workers, volunteers and know how to keep the client/patients moving!

  9. Richard Guenther

    January 12, 2021, 7:54 pm at 7:54 pm

    We are over 65 years of age, 70 & 71, where can we get on a list close by city of Port St Lucie? Please advise. Thank you in advance.

    Richard Guenther
    theguenthers@bellsouth.net

  10. Patricia Crespi

    January 12, 2021, 7:54 pm at 7:54 pm

    What’s happening in Charlotte County??? I’m 75 years old and need the Vaccine . Please! Open up some centers in Charlotte County or at Publix, or somewhere!!!

  11. Linda Lee Byars

    January 12, 2021, 7:55 pm at 7:55 pm

    When is Monroe county Florida Keys going to get Vaccine? Linda Lee Byars 71 husband 76. 305-393-3236

  12. Kathleen Dulk

    January 12, 2021, 8:00 pm at 8:00 pm

    The vaccination program in Charlotte County is an utter joke. We consistently come in with one of the oldest populations of all 67 counties here in Florida. We have exactly ONE site open for vaccinations for folks 65 and older! As with other sites, reservations are required. Unfortunately no one knows when the reservations calendar will be posted on line. I have checked numerous times and have not yet even come close to finding the calendar. Totally unacceptable especially when one factors in that those responsible had 10 months to plan and make arrangements.

  13. Cindy Fitch

    January 12, 2021, 8:35 pm at 8:35 pm

    I feel your pain and frustration! We are also in Charlotte County and experiencing exactly what you’ve described. The online registration system is a total joke. There’s no way to know when they “open up” for registering.

  14. Cindy Fitch

    January 12, 2021, 8:35 pm at 8:35 pm

    I feel your pain and frustration! We are also in Charlotte County and experiencing exactly what you’ve described. The online registration system is a total joke. There’s no way to know when they “open up” for registering.

  15. Cindy Fitch

    January 12, 2021, 8:36 pm at 8:36 pm

    I feel your pain and frustration! We are also in Charlotte County and experiencing exactly what you’ve described. The online registration system is a total joke. There’s no way to know when they “open up” for registering.

  16. Raymond and Juanita Derois

    January 12, 2021, 10:57 pm at 10:57 pm

    My wife and I are in our 80’s. We live in Palm Coast, Flagler country FL. I put our name an a list with the Flagler health department to receive the covert 19 vaccination, as of 1/13/21 I’m still waiting for a call back!!

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Ed Dean is a leading radio and news media personality including hosting the #1 statewide radio talk show in Florida. Contact Ed.Dean@FloridaDaily.com

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