Floridians 60 and older eligible for vaccination

‘Seniors First’ approach lowers minimum age for people starting today

Florida residents age 60 and older are now eligible to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Today’s age drop from 65 to 60 is the latest criteria change by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been rolling out the state’s phased vaccinations with a “Seniors First” approach that gives priority to Floridians in age groups most vulnerable to severe outcomes from the virus.

DeSantis said last week that anyone age 60 and up can be inoculated at a pharmacy, state or county-run site, including the Orange County Convention Center or the FEMA-run site at Valencia College’s West Campus.

“If you’re 60-plus, you will be able to get signed up and be able to get the vaccine,” DeSantis said.

This week, state and

Orange County officials are expected to announce details for a vaccination program that would enable health officials to administer shots at a person’s home, in an effort to reach seniors who can’t easily travel to vaccine sites.

On Friday, the state created a contact email for homebound seniors to register for the COVID19 vaccine to be brought directly to them. To request vaccination, email HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the state would provide canvassers and pair them with local firefighters to give the shots while going door-to-door in neighborhoods

DeSantis said his plan is to drop the minimum age in five-year increments and indicated that shots could be offered to anyone who wants one as soon as April.

President Joe Biden said last week that he’s directed states to make sure everyone is eligible by May 1.

The state’s current eligibility lists also includes the following groups: long-term care facility residents and staff; health care personnel with direct patient contact, K-12 workers 50 or older; and police and firefighters 50 and older.

People under the state’s minimum age with highrisk conditions are allowed to receive vaccines if their doctor signs a form supplied by the Department of Health.

But DeSantis’ vaccine rules often conflict with federal government’s expansion of eligibility. Local officials have also departed from the governor’s criteria, adding groups not included in the state’s approach.

Last week, Demings announced that all school and college employees, and police and firefighters of any age can be vaccinated at the county site.

The expanded vaccine criteria comes amid the state’s Sunday report of 30 more resident deaths from the virus for a total of 32,255. In Florida, 3,699 more positive COVID-19 cases were reported to bring the total to 1,976,808.

Statewide, 4,204,186 people have received at least one vaccine injection, including 2,323,366 who have completed their shot regimen, whether it’s the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna option or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.