DeSantis says he will soon lower vaccine age to 60, eventually 55

TALLAHASSEE — Floridians as young as 60 will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting sometime this month, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday.

“We really believe we have a great pathway to the get the vast, vast, vast majority of seniors with at least one shot very, very soon, and at that point, we’ll look at lowering the age,” DeSantis told reporters in Ocala. “And we’ll make an announcement on that. That will happen sometime in March, and once we have the first date on that we’re going to let everyone know about it.”

DeSantis said 2.5 million people 65 and older have received at least one shot of the vaccine, and reporting lags by three to five days. Florida’s 65 and older population is about 4.5 million, so the state is nearing the time to open up eligibility to more people, he said.

Once demand from that age group begins to slacken, the next phase will be to go down to age 55, he said.

More deliveries from the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine should help. Florida received the first 60,000 doses of a 175,000dose shipment late Thursday. DeSantis touted the vaccine, which unlike the Moderna and Pfizer versions only requires one shot, at a later event in Winter Haven where police officers were given some of the first Johnson & Johnson doses.

He was flanked by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who tried to combat skepticism he’s encountered with vaccines in general.

“Listen to the doctors. Listen to the science,” Judd said. “When you put shots in arms, ladies and gentlemen, you’re helping save lives.”

DeSantis has stressed his push to allow seniors age 65 and older to receive vaccines when they first arrived at the end of December.

New federal guidelines have expanded eligibility to teachers of all ages, but teachers under 50 will only be able to access the vaccine at federally supported sites. DeSantis has placed a 50 and up requirement for teachers at state-controlled sites.

Those with an underlying condition under 65 can also receive the vaccine with a certified form from a physician.

DeSantis has focused on the elderly because of the high COVID-19 death rates among those 65 and older compared to younger groups. More than 83% of Florida’s 31,387 COVID-19 deaths have been people 65 and older.