Supply is growing, but doses of COVID-19 vaccines are still relatively limited in Florida.
So after conveying state priorities several times over the past week, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday put them in black and white.
He signed an executive order, with the goal of making sure all Florida seniors are the first in line to get vaccinated once the majority vulnerable people are protected.
What you need to know
- The executive order puts people over 65 at the helm of the line
- CDC suggests prioritizing people 75 and older, and then vaccinating all seniors and essential workers
- DeSantis says he will not be vaccinated until vulnerable populations are protected
“Our seniors will be our first priority in the community at large to receive the COVID vaccine. As you know, we focused the initial week and now this week with hospitals on long-term care residents, long-term care facility staff, and front-line health workers. , doctors and nurses, who treat coronavirus patients day in and day out, ”DeSantis told Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
“We believe it is very, very important to reduce mortality and reduce the number of people who need to be hospitalized for COVID-19.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people 75 years of age or older be next in the initial vaccination ranks. DeSantis says his executive order puts everyone 65 years or older in that category.
The CDC also suggests placing young essential workers at the same level of priority as people between the ages of 65 and 74. DeSantis says this is what will happen in Florida.
“The problem is that people who are 73, 74 would be behind the line for a 21-year-old worker who is considered ‘essential’; I think that doesn’t make sense. So for us, in Florida , we make it clear in this executive order that our first priority for the general population (once nurses, doctors and long-term care centers are finished) is to vaccinate people aged 65 and over. ”DeSantis explained .
But age is not the only factor to consider.
“We also say that for hospitals, regardless of age, if someone is extremely vulnerable to COVID, obviously use your medical judgment in this regard,” DeSantis said. “So if you have a cancer patient, it’s clear we want hospitals to be able to do that.”
As for whether the 42-year-old governor will be vaccinated before some of Florida’s most vulnerable residents. DeSantis promised that this will not happen.
“As for the elected officials who cross the line, you won’t see it with me,” DeSantis said.