Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Thursday that Florida would open the eligibility for the COVID vaccine to everyone aged 18 and over in early April.
The governor said that as of Monday, Sunshine State residents aged 40 and over will be eligible to receive the jab and a week later, on April 5, all adults will be eligible.
DeSantis said Florida has already vaccinated 70% of the state’s 4.4 million seniors.
“Although the Biden administration has set a target date of May 1 for vaccine eligibility for all adults, Florida is pleased to announce that all adults in the state aged 18 and over will be eligible for the vaccine from Monday, April 5, “DeSantis said in a press release.
DESANTIS CONDEMNS THE THEORY OF CRITICAL RACE, SAYS IT WILL NOT BE TEACHED IN FLORIDA’S CLASSROOMS
More than 5.2 million of Florida’s more than 21 million residents received at least one coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday. About 13.7 percent of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated.
President Biden this month gave states a May 1 deadline to open the vaccine’s eligibility to all adults, triggering a race between states to expand access to the vaccine. Texas, Indiana and Georgia residents over the age of 16 became eligible for the vaccine this week. Alaska, Arizona, Utah and Mississippi already offer doses for those over 16 years old. Tennessee will also offer photos for ages 16 and up starting April 5.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
New York reduced the vaccine’s eligibility for people over 50 this week. California Governor Gavin Newsom said that all adults would be eligible by the end of April, but the state is currently vaccinating only those over 65 and frontline workers.