Why are visitors getting shots before Floridians?

We’re collecting and answering your questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Submit your question using this form or email Lois Solomon at lsolomon@ sunsentinel.com.

Q. “Why are non-residents getting the vaccine before senior residents who live in Florida?”

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Jo Grill, Delray

Beach

“I am fed up with Canadians and people from other countries coming into this country without quarantining and getting the COVID shot, which I as a Palm Beach County citizen for over 42 years, can’t get even though I’m on a waiting list. The shots should be reserved for Americans.” — Barbara Silverman, Boca Raton

A. Florida’s policy of asking only for your age and not where you’re from has raised the ire of many who are desperate to get a vaccine.

There has never been an official pronouncement about whether people from other countries visiting Florida can get their vaccines here. Some hospitals, including Broward Health, had planned to ask vaccine recipients for proof of local residency, but Jared Moskowitz, Florida’s emergency management director, said the hospitals should cease asking for documentation because the state has not issued any vaccine residency requirements.

This is in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s plan for Florida, which states: “The goal of the Florida COVID-19 Mass Vaccination plan is to immunize all Floridians and visitors who choose to be vaccinated.”

The policy has thrilled snow

birds and vacationers but created resentment among full-time residents. There hasn’t been any public discussion about changing the policy.

Q. “I am 80 years old, living in Palm Beach County, and I can’t seem to get on a list to get a vaccine. It would be a good idea if the county sent mobile trucks to go from senior community to senior community in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton.”

Joyce Winston, Boynton Beach

A. County commissioners actually explored this idea in December but it hasn’t come up at subsequent meetings. In the meantime, more than

100,000 people seeking vaccines have bombarded the Palm Beach County office of the state health department, and most are still waiting for appointments.

Publix may come to the rescue: Gov. Ron DeSantis met with county leaders on Jan. 12 in West Palm Beach to discuss rolling out the vaccine at more than

70 Palm Beach County Publix stores. A decision from the governor’s office is expected in the next few days.

Q. “Is it true the vaccine can make you sterile? I haven’t had kids yet and I’m afraid to get the vaccine for that reason.” — Frank, Deerfield Beach

A. No need to stress out on that front, said Dr. Terry Adirim of Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine.

“There is no evidence or any reason to believe the vaccine can make anyone sterile,” she said.

Q. “My wife and I are scheduled for our first injection around mid-day Jan. 20 at Vista View Park in Davie. If we get to the front of the line early, do we just get the vaccine then, or will they send us back to wait for our appointed time?” — Mike McPherson

A. They’ll take you as you come, but they prefer that people keep to their appointment times so the line moves steadily instead of getting jammed up at peak times of day.