DeSantis takes aim at Biden
Walgreens now lists essential workers as eligible for vaccinations in state
Walgreens now lists essential frontline workers as eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Florida, the latest potential expansion in criteria for the shots under federal programs.
The pharmacy chain, which receives shots from the federal government, didn’t immediately answer questions about the change. Neither did a spokeswoman for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose office determines eligibility under the program.
The governor’s latest executive order on eligibility does not include essential workers as eligible.
It’s unclear — and not explained on the Walgreens sign-up site — exactly which fields would be included as essential, though the federal government lists a wide array of workers including those in food and beverage, emergency services, energy, communications and critical manufacturing.
The apparent change comes
amid the loosening of eligibility criteria in the past two weeks at some sites, and days before DeSantis opens shots up to anybody older than 60 starting Monday.
In the past two weeks, the Biden Administration opened up vaccine eligibility to educators of any age, while this week, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings allowed for college employees and police and firefighters of any age to be vaccinated.
Appointments for Walgreens stores are available at Walgreens.com/ findcare/vaccination/ covid-19
The company recently expanded its stores offering vaccines from 12 to 97, including one in Lake County, 12 in Marion, eight in Polk and one in Sumter. There are currently none offering shots in Orange, Seminole or Osceola counties.