Supplies are growing, but doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are still relatively limited in Florida.
So, after relaying the state’s priorities several times in the past week, Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday put them in black and white.
He signed an executive order, with the aim of ensuring that all senior citizens in Florida are first in line to be vaccinated, most vulnerable people are protected.
What do you need to know
- The executive order puts people over 65 on the front lines
- The CDC suggests prioritizing people aged 75 and over and then vaccinating all the elderly and essential workers
- DeSantis says it will not be vaccinated until vulnerable populations are protected
“Our seniors will be our first priority in the wider community to receive the COVID vaccine. As you know, we have focused the initial week and now this week with hospitals on long-term residents, staff from long-term institutions and frontline health professionals, doctors and nurses, who deal with coronavirus patients daily on and day off, ”said DeSantis at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
“We think this is very, very important for reducing mortality by reducing the number of people who need to be hospitalized for COVID-19.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending that people aged 75 and over be next in line behind the initial rounds of vaccination. DeSantis says his executive order puts everyone 65 and older in that category.
The CDC also suggests placing young essential workers at the same priority level as people aged 65-74. DeSantis says that is what will happen in Florida.
“The problem is that 73-74-year-olds would be behind the line for a 21-year-old young worker who is considered, I quote, ‘essential’ – that, I think, makes no sense. So for us in Florida, we are making it clear in this executive order that our first priority for the general population – once nurses, doctors and long-term care facilities are finished – is to vaccinate people 65 and over. ” , DeSantis explained.
But age is not the only factor taken into account.
“We also tell hospitals, regardless of age, if there is someone extremely vulnerable to COVID, then, obviously, use your medical judgment on that,” said DeSantis. “So, if you have a cancer patient with something, of course we want to give hospitals the ability to do that.”
As to whether or not the 42-year-old governor will be vaccinated before some of Florida’s most vulnerable residents. DeSantis promised that this will not happen.
“In terms of elected officials skipping the line – you won’t see that with me,” said DeSantis.