Broward Health to start giving COVID-19 vaccines to seniors, community healthcare providers

Broward Health’s public vaccination campaign begins Wednesday

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – People age 65 and older and community healthcare providers can pre-register to receive the vaccine against COVID-19 starting on Wednesday at Broward Health.

The community healthcare providers are defined as dentists, psychologists, physical therapists, social workers, nurses, medical assistants, mental health counselors, podiatrists, pharmacists, techs in outpatient surgery centers, and anyone who interacts with patients.

Dr. Aldo Calvo, medical director of ambulatory services at Broward Health, said they are starting the campaign with a supply of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health.

“We know that the expectation was to have at least 20 million people vaccinated by the end of the year,” Calvo said. “That’s probably not going to happen, unfortunately, so by doing this community service we are going to try to get to that number as quickly as possible.”

The first priority of Broward Health’s public vaccination campaign also includes the office staff of Broward Health’s credentialed physicians, Emergency Medical Services personnel, and community healthcare providers’ office staff.

The healthcare provider’s age or place of residence or practice is not relevant during the pre-screening process, according to Jennifer Smith, a spokeswoman for Broward Health. For instance, a 26-year-old clerk who works at a psychologist’s office in Miami-Dade County could qualify to receive the vaccine at Broward Health.

For more information about pre-screening and to register and make an appointment, call Broward Health’s Nurse Connect line at 954-759-7500. The system was being overwhelmed with calls on Tuesday evening. Calvo asked the public to be patient.

“We are doing our best,” Calvo said about Broward Health’s efforts to accommodate demand.

Broward Health campaign

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The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.