Gov DeSantis says age range will be lowered for vaccine eligibility moving forward, not occupations

Jacksonville FL — Friday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said moving forward the state will lower the age range for coronavirus vaccine eligibility instead of adding new occupations to the growing list. He says at some point in March the age range will be lowered likely to people aged 60 and up and then shortly after that for people aged 55 and up.

“That’s what we’re gonna do instead of trying to pick, pick and choose different things.” DeSantis says.

At this point, there isn’t an exact date for when this change could come, but DeSantis says he hopes to have an announcement next week. He says the change will depend on vaccine supply and availability for seniors that still need to be vaccinated.

As the state looks to lower the age range for vaccines, there are a few new options for K – 12 school employees who are not in the 50 or older range. On Friday we reported when all K – 12 school employees would be eligible to receive a vaccine at the three new federally run sites in Jacksonville. Those sites are at the Gateway Mall, Hammond Senior Center, and Normandy Community Center. We’re told walk-ups will be accepted, but you are encouraged to make an appointment at Myvaccine.fl.gov.

Also, all school employees have the opportunity now to make appointments at CVSWalmartPublixWinn-Dixie, and Harvey’s.

In addition, DeSantis says the state has received its initial shipment of the 175,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and that will be all the state will get of the new vaccine for the next two weeks.