What’s the definition of front-line worker?

For months, people desperate to get back to normal life have been counting on a corona virus vaccine to swoop in and lift the country out of quarantine. Now the first vaccines are finally arriving, and people want to know why certain people are getting the shot. Are computer processors and managers considered front-line workers?

For months, people desperate to get back to normal life have been counting on a coronavirus vaccine to swoop in and lift the country out of quarantine. Now the first vaccines are finally arriving. Andwith them, a slew of pressing questions.

We want to help, and we’re collecting and answering your questions about the vaccines. Submit your question here or email LoisSolomonatlsolomon@sunsentinel.com.

Q. “All three pictures (in the Dec. 14 Sun Sentinel story on hospital workers getting the vaccine) depict computer processors/systems analysts and one pharmacy director, all of which sit behind a computer in enclosed rooms

with no patient contact. Unbelievable. As a physicianonthefrontline, Ifind this offensive. Pictures of nurses, ER docs, critical care staff getting vaccines, OK. Firefighters andpolicemen, absolutely. Computerprocessorsand managers? Ridiculous.”— Local doctor

A. Several people have questioned why these employees at Memorial Regional Hospitals were able to get shots on the first day they were available. Here’s how Memorial Healthcare System spokesman Stu Opperman described who is getting their vaccinations:

“TheMemorial employeeswe’ve alreadyinoculated are crucial to the infrastructure of the patient care we provide,” he said.

“The vaccine is available toMemorialemployees that have contact with COVID

19 patients, are at risk of being infected, or transmitting the virus. This would include front-line medical staff and those who provide direct support to the frontline, but not administrative personnel.”

Other South Florida hospitals have variations on the same policy. Here’s the rule at JacksonMemorial in Miami: “Any Jackson employee with direct or indirect contact with

COVID-19 patients is eligible to receive the vaccine in this first phase, and that includes environmental services workers, nutrition employees, pharmacists, public safety officers, etc.” spokeswoman Lidia Amoretti said.

The Florida Medical Association warned on Thursday that providers needtobejudicious, because there’s not enough vaccine for everyone in the first-tier category.

“TheFMArecognizesthat there is a limited amount of the vaccine available for distribution in December and urges patience as the state undertakes theunprecedented effort toimplement amassinoculation program. There are far more health care providers and longterm care residents who qualify for the first round of the vaccine than there is vaccine available.”

Q. “Do all vaccinations require a second shot?”

A. At themomenttheydo, but there are some in development that will be singledose. They’re not available to the public yet. The shots manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, currently being rolled out for long-term care residents and front-line workers, require two visits, spaced three to four weeks apart.

Q. “I’m a 65-year- old resident of Florida. Will I be able to receive the vaccination? And will I be able to choose which one I receive?”— DonnaFrancati,

Venice

A. Yes to both. You’ll be in the next eligible group after medical workers and residents of assisted living facilities. Once the Pfizer andModerna vaccines are widely available, designated vaccine sites will have one drug or the other, but not both. The drugs cannot be mixed, and whichever vaccine is your first dose must also be your second and final dose. Once the vaccines are available to the general public in 2021, you can choose which vaccine you want by going to the appropriate distribution site.

Regardless of where people get their vaccine, the state will use Florida’s State Health Online Tracking System, an immunization registry also known as SHOTS, to document who is getting the vaccine and to provide reminder messages for people who need to get their seconddose.

Q. “I’m a 70 year old snowbird (non-resident). It looks like I will have to wait till the vaccinewould be offered to the general public- i.e., Iwouldhaveno priority. Other stateshave assigned a higher priority to folks over 65. Is this the case or will Florida give a prioritytosnowbirdsover

Once long-term care residents and health workers are taken care of, all seniors should be able to get vaccinated at clinics setup byCVS orWalgreens. Vaccines will be offered at no cost, but vaccination providers can charge an administration fee for giving the shot.

a certain age? Will I be treatedandprioritizedthe sameasaFloridaresident? Will I have some priority status before the general public?” JohnNystrom, Palm

Harbor

A. Snowbirds are going to be treated just like every other Florida retiree who is not living in an assisted-livingfacility. You’renextinline afternursinghomeresidents and hospitalworkers, so it’s goingtobeafewweeksifnot months.

It’scomeasarelieftomany winter visitors that they can get their shots here. The Centers for Disease Control andPreventionmadeitclear in a recent report that you don’t have to be a full-time Floridian to be inoculated here: “The goal of the Flor

idaCOVID-19MassVaccination plan is to immunize all Floridians and visitors who choose to be vaccinated.”

AndGov. RonDeSantishas confirmed that senior citizens are apriority.

“As the vaccine supply increases over the next few weeks, we want to start getting it out to our elderly residents as well as those who may have significant co-morbidities, makingthem high-risk for complications

fromCOVID-19,” he said. Once long-term care residents and health workers are taken care of, all seniors should be able to get vaccinated at clinics set up by CVS orWalgreens. Vaccines willbeofferedatnocost, but vaccination providers can chargeanadministration fee for giving the shot.