Floridians ages 60 to 64 years are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations as Gov. Ron DeSantis announced last week. Vaccination eligibility may expand again at the end of March to anyone age 55 years or older, and to the general public in April, DeSantis said.
During a March 8 press conference in Tallahassee, DeSantis announced that beginning March 15, those ages 60-64 years who want a COVID-19 vaccination are eligible to receive one. The legibility expansion takes place after more than 2 million Floridians age 65 years and older have already received vaccinations.
“It’s the right time to do it,” DeSantis said. “We know people age 60-64 have been waiting.”
Despite the expansion, the demand for vaccinations is expected to be “a little bit softer,” he said.
“But we expect the demand to be pretty robust.”
He later announced that eligibility would probably be expanded again to include those age 55 years by the end of the month.
“Once you get below 50 (years of age) on this, unless you have very serious health problems, mortality is very, very low,” DeSantis said.
Eligibility could be expanded again in April to make the vaccine available to anyone who wants it, DeSantis said.
“Once we get all the 55 and up, you probably can open it up to the general public,” he stated.
Florida Department of Health (DOH) Hernando County Spokesperson Ashley Thomas said that Hernando County residents age 60 years of age and older may register for the vaccine by scheduling appointments online at www.patientportalfl.com A customer service hotline is also available at 844-770-8548, she said.
Anyone age 60 years or older wanting to be vaccinated must provide documentation of age such as a driver’s license, government issued ID, birth certificate or passport.
In Hernando County, vaccinations are available at the County’s permanent vaccination site at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, as well as at pharmacies at Publix, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores, and CVS pharmacies.
Last week the DOH Hernando County also announced that it has partnered with Pine Brook Pharmacy to offer vaccines to extremely vulnerable residents of any age.
Hernando County residents who believe they fall under the extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 priority group should contact their physician to determine eligibility. If eligible, they will need to take a form signed by their physician to their appointment at Pine Brook Pharmacy or other participating pharmacies to receive the vaccine.
Visit www.PineBrookPharmacy.com to register or for more information
Appointments are required for all vaccine clinics, according to DOH -Hernando.
Walk-ups will not be accommodated.
