CENTRAL FLORIDA – As of Monday, Orlando Health is expanding its vaccine distribution program, meaning that patients 65 and older in the health care system will be able to schedule vaccination appointments across Central Florida.
As of Monday, Orlando Health will allow seniors aged 65 and over to see appointments at six locations in Orange, Lake and Osceola Counties.
- Orlando Health Emergency Room – Lake Mary, 380 Rinehart Rd., Lake Mary, FL, 32746
- Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – Summerport, 5151 Winter Garden Vineland Rd., Windermere, FL, 34787
- Orlando Health – Health Central Park – Winter Garden, 411 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL, 34787
- Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – St. Cloud, 1330 Budinger Ave., St. Cloud, FL, 34769
- Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute – Downtown Orlando, 1222 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL, 32806
- Orlando Health South Lake Hospital Emergency Room – Blue Cedar, 22316 US Highway 27, Leesburg, FL, 34748
It is part of an expansion of its vaccine distribution program. The leaders said that, due to the limited offer, the scheduling information will be communicated directly to those eligible through a randomization process.
Governor Ron DeSantis made the elderly who get the vaccine the focus of his news conference in Bay County on Sunday morning.
“By putting the elderly first, we are doing the right thing for our parents and grandparents. It is the morally right thing to do, and also the right thing to do from a medical point of view. It is based on the data, the The fact is that this virus has been more deadly for older people, “said DeSantis.
He spoke at a senior care facility in Bay County, explaining why seniors need to be prioritized.
“This virus has been more deadly for the elderly than for the middle-aged, so focusing on those over 65 is the best thing we can do to reduce morbidity and mortality,” said DeSantis.
Florida Department of Health statistics show that more than 235,000 seniors have already received their first dose. Of these, 133,000 are aged 65-74.
DeSantis said he and other officials hope that next week the state will receive another 250,000 vaccines and are working with hospitals, Publix and elsewhere to get the vaccines administered.
“We know who is doing this well, we know where to put the vaccine,” said DeSantis.
Spectrum News 13 reporter Justin Soto contributed to this story.