Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
How to get your shots when you’re under 65
People under 65 with qualifying health conditions can now obtain COVID-19 vaccines in Florida, under an executive order issued by
Gov. Ron DeSantis. Although details are still being worked out, here are answers to some common questions:
Q. If you are under 65, what conditions make allow you to be eligible?
A. The governor’s order says anyone deemed by a physician to be extremely vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 can be vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control says people with these conditions are at increased risk:
■ Asthma
■ Cancer (current/undergoing treatment)
■ Cardiomyopathy
■ Chronic kidney disease
■ COPD
■ Down Syndrome
■ Heart failure
■ Hypertension
■ Obesity
■ Organ transplant
■ Pregnancy
■ Sickle cell
■ Type 2 diabetes with an accompanying co-morbidity
The CDC says people with these conditions “might be” at increased risk:
Cerebrovascular disease
Cystic fibrosis
High blood pressure
Weakened immune system from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune-weakening medicines
Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
Liver disease
Pulmonary fibrosis Thalassemia
Type 1 diabetes
Q. Will I need proof of my condition?
A. You will need a form provided by the Florida Department of Health and filled out by a physician detailing your qualifying medical condition. Health officials have not yet clarified how to access the form, and some people have begun setting up appointments with a doctor’s note.
Q. When does the governor’s executive order take effect?
A. March 3.
Q. Where can I go to get vaccinated?
A. Hospitals, pharmacies, community clinics and doctor’s offices, provided they have the vaccine. This includes Publix, Winn-Dixie, CVS and Walmart. Walgreens will soon be on the list.
Publix originally had said its pharmacies would not need a doctor’s note to dole out the vaccine but has since clarified its position to say it will ask for the required form. All pharmacy locations and hospitals require appointments; you can find a list of options at https:// bit.
ly/3rf9Q2C or at SunSentinel.com/ coronavirus.
Q. Can I go to a drive-thru mass vaccination site in my county?
A. No. Those sites will not accept people who fall into the medically vulnerable category. The governor’s executive order says physicians, advanced practice registered nurses and pharmacists may vaccinate persons determined by a physician to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. The vaccinators at health department-managed sites in Broward and Palm Beach counties are registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and paramedics and therefore not allowed to immunize this group.
Q. How long will it take for the rest of Floridians to become eligible?
A. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said the U.S. will have enough vaccine for every adult by the end of May. His speedier time frame came as Merck announced it would help manufacture a recently authorized single-shot vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. DeSantis announced Florida may get 175,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week. He said he likely will drop the age requirement to 60 or 55 sometime in March.