Caregivers who bring someone over 65 to get the vaccine may also receive an injection

Caregivers who bring someone over 65 to get the vaccine may also receive an injection

by

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – A Facebook post by Florida State Sen. Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) can give the impression that anyone who brings a person 65 and over to the federal vaccination site at Gateway Mall on Saturday can get an injection , but this is not quite true.

Caregivers who accompany the elderly who are eligible to be vaccinated are eligible to receive an injection – as Gibson’s brochure says – but not “everyone who brings an elderly person can be vaccinated,” as the text below said in his post.

Although not specified in the state or federal guidelines for the FEMA vaccination site, caregivers can receive an injection if they accompany a person they care for, if that person is 65 or older, confirmed FEMA spokeswoman Kimber Kipp to the News4Jax.

Some states have specific criteria that define caregivers. News4Jax is trying to find out if Florida has any rules.

Ads

Gibson’s brochure is promoting a We Care event from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm on Saturday on the Norwood Avenue website.

“Bring your loved one over 65 and meet me at We Care – Each One Gets One! Honey dippers and ice cream event! ”The brochure reads.

Gibson said the event she is promoting is to encourage more seniors to get their vaccines, as the Gateway website does not use all available vaccines every day.

Current qualifications for federal sites in Florida, including Gateway Mall:

  • Residents and employees of long-term care institutions

  • People 65 years of age or older

  • Health personnel with direct contact with the patient

  • Employees of elementary and high schools of any age

  • Sworn police officers 50 years of age or older

  • Firefighters aged 50 or over

Although Gibson’s event hours are limited, the Gateway website is open from 7 am to 7 pm, seven days a week.

“I am very happy because it protects me and it protects other people,” said Maria Gomez as she left Gateway on Friday.

Gomez’s 21-year-old nephew also receives an injection. He was eligible because of a medical condition, but he would have been his caregiver and he believes it is crucial to contain the pandemic.

Ads

“I think it is important, especially if you are taking care of an elderly population,” said Ibraheem Ahmed. “They are more susceptible to the virus, so it is important that they are both able to catch it.”

There will be another change in criteria on Monday, when the age to qualify for the vaccine at all locations in Florida drops to 60, according to Governor Ron DeSantis’ latest executive order.

And the satellite sites run by FEMA currently in the Normandy Community Center and Hammond Senior Center will be closed on Saturday and will be relocated and opened on Sunday in new locations for the next 10 days. They offer a choice of Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

  • Carver Center, 777 South 5th Street, Jacksonville Beach

  • Oceanway Community Center, 12215 Sago Ave. W., Jacksonville

People who wish to be vaccinated at one of the federal or state sites in Regency Square are encouraged to pre-register by accessing the state’s online website – myvaccine.fl.gov – or by calling the Duval County reservation number – 866 -200-3762. However, it is not necessary to make an appointment.

Ads

For links to all pharmacy registrations and state-administered vaccination sites in other counties, click on our story Where to get COVID-19 vaccines in Northeast Florida.

Transport is available. Call the JTA at 904-630-3100 to schedule a trip.

Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.

.Source