Mother, daughter inoculated when the vaccine arrives at Jacksonville’s long-term care facility

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On Friday, River City Rehabilitation, in Jacksonville, became the first in the area to begin vaccinating residents under the Federal CDC Pharmacy Partnership.

Later, the United States added a second COVID-19 vaccine to its arsenal, boosting efforts to combat the outbreak.

About 80 people consented to the vaccine on Friday. On Thursday night, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a tweet that things were running out three days ahead of schedule: The Florida Health Association did not expect the vaccine to begin reaching the northern nursing home -east of Florida until at least Monday.

Angela Smith began working as a receptionist at the nursing home at the start of the pandemic to be closer to her 86-year-old mother. He jumped at the chance to get vaccinated against the virus. His mother also received the vaccine.

As of Friday in Florida, more than 7,000 residents and long-term care staff have died from complications related to COVID-19.

Kristen Knapp of the Florida Health Care Association said next week more widespread vaccines will be produced across the state in Florida through pharmacies.

“Pharmacies will come to the site, the facilities have space available to install these clinics,” Knapp explained. “It makes it much more rational and efficient because the residents are there. We can vaccinate them. The staff is there. We can also vaccinate them. “

After a month of separation, Smith said he was eager for his mother to reconnect with his family.

“For me it means a lot to let my mother see her sisters and my sister, who have a medical illness, who can’t see my mother, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren,” Smith said.

Baptist Health in Jacksonville said the team recalls receiving the first 250 doses on Friday.

“It simply came to our notice then. It’s a very exciting day, “said Kelly Guion, nurse manager. “I was very excited to receive my vaccine and begin this journey toward the recovery of some kind of normalcy.”