State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees issued a Public Health Advisory Thursday January 21st, prioritizing Florida residents for the Covid-19 Vaccines. Gov. Ron DeSantis said publicly that the shots should be reserved for part-time or full-time residents of the Sunshine State.
In his order, Rivkees said “the COVID-19 vaccine remains scarce within the United States and vaccine availability in Florida is extremely limited.”
This means seasonal residents who don’t list Florida as their primary residence, along with visitors from other states, are not eligible to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida.
Since Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opened vaccine sites to anyone 65 and over, health officials have been inundated with requests for vaccination appointments. Many residents, including some health workers, have complained that out-of-state and foreign visitors were competing with Floridians for limited doses.