MIAMI, Fla. — The age of 65 has been a key number in the COVID-19 vaccination race in Florida since doses arrived in the state. That is, until now.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a press conference that, as of Monday, people ages 60 and older are eligible for vaccinations.
“We’re going to do 60-plus. As we see the demand, maybe we can even lower that age even more. We’d like to make that announcement next week,” DeSantis said.
As of Friday, Publix pharmacies across the state had already opened its vaccine scheduling portal to the expanded 60 and older group. To book an appointment or for more information visit publix.com/covidvaccine.
So just how many people have been vaccinated? Out of a statewide population of almost 22 million, nearly 3.9 million have received at least their first shot.
In Miami-Dade County, the number of first dose recipients is at more than 450,000. And in Broward County, just over 340,000 people have received their first dose.
However, until there is a bigger percentage of the population vaccinated, medical experts advise everyone to continue with the new normal and emphasize that case mitigation strategies are important.
Miami Dade County’s Chief Public Safety Officer J.D. Patterson spoke Friday during a commission meeting about the need to keep the county’s curfew in place.
“If we remove these controls, that community spread is a serious threat to our hospitals, and our public safety infrastructure just might be overrun,” Patterson said.
Jackson Health System’s President and CEO Carlos Migoya gave a glimpse of when he believes the vaccine rollout could start to curb the threat of community spread
“By the end of June, we would have done 50 percent of the population in Miami-Dade County. That is the magic number that we need to get through to see a major impact on this,” Migoya said.
Also, the state is expanding access to homebound seniors not in public housing.
Homebound seniors can send an email to the state to request a COVID-19 vaccine.
The email address is HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com to make a request.
DeSantis announced that new option Thursday, saying the state has vaccinated over 1,500 homebound seniors to date.
Hialeah opens COVID-19 site
In Hialeah, Mayor Carlos Hernandez, announced the opening of a COVID-19 vaccination center to serve the community. In this location, they will be vaccinating 200 people daily for 60 days. Anyone 60 years of age or older must present their driver’s license or Florida identification card to be served.
Front-line workers, firefighters, police, education workers and health workers will be welcomed and must present both their Florida ID and workplace credentials.
People under the age of 60 years old must present the document (Determination of Extreme Vulnerability) validated by their doctor, ensuring their medical condition.
Vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis. Only first-time shots will be given at this site.
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