Vaccine should be available to younger people in March, DeSantis says

Floridians under age 65 should have access to a COVID-19 vaccine in March, and it should be widely distributed the month after, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday.

DeSantis made the prediction during an appearance at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, where he also announced new vaccination sites, including Broward College, for hard-to-reach populations.

DeSantis said the focus remains on seniors, but he sees other ages becoming eligible soon with 47% of seniors now vaccinated. He also cited expectations that a new Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be approved this week and signs showing that demand may be softening.

The governor did not specify what ages might come in the next round — although he announced Tuesday that teachers and law enforcement officers over 50 will be able to get vaccinated soon at four sites planned by the federal government.

On Wednesday, DeSantis said that people 60 and over could be eligible “soon” and possibly people as young as 55. His comments Thursday were more specific about the time frame.

“I would say without question, barring any questions with the vaccine distribution, we’re going to see the age lowered sometime in March,” he said.

By April, he said, “this thing is not going to be very difficult to get. Supply will be robust. In the next four to six weeks, you’ll see this turn a corner.”

DeSantis also announced that Broward College will be home to a new COVID-19 vaccine site to try to reach underserved populations of seniors who may not have easy access to a hospital or retail pharmacy. Four other regions — Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Kissimmee and Miami-Dade County — will get similar sites.

He said the sites will be modeled after a site opened in early February in Pahokee in western Palm Beach County, after residents complained of the lack of access to a Publix, which at the time was the only retail pharmacy offering the vaccines. Since then, additional vaccine sites have been opened at Walmart, CVS and Winn-Dixie locations.

Broward College’s site will be on its north campus in Coconut Creek. The location will accept walk-ups, as well as those who have been scheduled appointments. The site is intended to serve residents in communities who have faced challenges accessing other vaccination sites, the college says.

The site will be open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. starting today. It will operate from the Omni Auditorium on North Campus, at 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd. The site will be open for a minimum of two months, and 200 vaccines will be available each day on a first-come, first-served basis.

Right now, only health care workers with direct patient contact and people 65 and older are eligible. To see if you are eligible and for more information, go to myvaccine.fl.gov or call 954-559-8321.

“After having the privilege of supporting our partners and residents in a number of ways throughout this pandemic, it is now our privilege to provide a site for COVID-19 vaccinations,” said Broward College President Gregory Adam Haile. “We have been gifted with the capacity to serve, and we are intent on optimizing our service to our community.”

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.