Lack of proof of Florida residency requirement may be attracting tourists from the COVID-19 vaccine

PEMBROKE PARK, Florida. – Amid a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines, the lack of proof of residency in Florida may be attracting tourists from COVID-19 vaccines.

Judy Wolff of Fort Lauderdale is looking forward to receiving the first dose of the vaccine. The 73-year-old grandmother said she can’t wait to see her grandchildren.

Wolff has been trying to get an appointment for almost two weeks. She is upset because she meets eight people from New York who are flying to South Florida just for the vaccine.

Although they are family and friends, Wolff does not think that is fair.

“I feel like they are stealing our vaccines,” she said.

Governor Ron DeSantis said earlier this week that Florida is a temporary state, so snowbirds, seasonal travelers who take refuge in South Florida to avoid cold winters at home, should have no problem accessing the vaccine if they are 65 years old. or more.

Mireille Gaouette thinks this is great, but she was also unable to access the vaccine. The 75-year-old snowbird from Quebec, Canada, considers Broward County a second home. She has been traveling back and forth for 23 years.

“We are discouraging people who come to Florida just to get a vaccine,” said DeSantis.

Wolff said he knows this is not true and is hurting many of the elderly people who call Florida home.

“Every time I go there, it says, ‘Future appointments are full’ and ‘Please try again’, but are there still people from New York passing by?” Wolff said.

The Jackson Health System in Miami-Dade County and the Memorial Healthcare System in Broward County require photo identification, but only to verify the required age.

Local 10 News has a pending request with the Florida Department of Health for data on the number of non-Florida residents receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.