As Gov. Ron DeSantis campaigns on Covid-19 vaccine distrust, local health departments in other states have started doling out the updated shot. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Health has not made public any plans to follow suit.
Two weeks have passed since Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo advised people under 65 to skip the updated vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Since then, retail pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens began distributing the vaccine in Florida, but the rollout hasn’t been entirely smooth.
For example, a small percentage of Florida Blue customers had trouble getting the vaccine covered by the insurer because of an error in its system, a spokesperson wrote to Florida Phoenix.
But before the federal government ended the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency in May, people could also get the shot at their local health departments.
In states such as Texas, Illinois, Georgia and South Carolina, county health departments continue administering the vaccine to uninsured or underinsured folks. Although some in Georgia and South Carolina are still awaiting shipments of the vaccine, they expect to receive them this week and the next, communications officers in those states told the Phoenix.
Where are the doses?
In the Sunshine State, it’s unclear when people will be able to get the shot from the local health departments. The Florida Department of Health has yet to share that information with the Phoenix. County health departments including Broward, Palm Beach and Hillsborough directed the Phoenix’s inquiries to the state health department.
A spokesperson from the Leon County Health Department wrote that they weren’t administering the vaccine and directed further questions to the main state communications office. The Marion County Health Department in Central Florida is expecting a shipment of vaccine doses soon, the public information officer told the Phoenix on Friday. The officer did not provide a specific date.
In the meantime, DeSantis continues to further his anti-Covid vaccine sentiments, saying in an ABC News interview last week that he would not fund the vaccine if he became president.
People who do not have health insurance, or whose health insurance doesn’t cover the shot, can find pharmacies providing them for free through the Bridge Access Program.
There have not been as many cases of Covid-19 in Florida in September as there were in August. The Florida Department of Health reported 19,019 cases in the first week of September and 15,690 in the second week, according to the biweekly report on the disease.
–Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
Pat says
The Pfizer vaccine is available here in Palm Coast at both Walgreens and CVS so go online ateir website to book an appointment.
The Moderna vaccine isn’t presently in PC but readily available at Walgreens at
1829 RIDGEWOOD AVE (becomes State Road 1)
HOLLY HILL, FL 32117
Just sign up online to confirm an appointment!
Richard says
DeSantis, Ladapo, and their cronies are public health enemies #1.
Barbara B says
I was able to get the new Moderna booster at CVS on route 100 in Flagler Beach. Please follow recommendations of the legitimate scientific community not those putting our health at risk for political points.
ban the gop says
As you can see the gop facist think they know better than any doctor or public health expert. Fools!
Skibum says
If people are waiting for the State of FL, including Gov. Deathsantis and the gerrymandered GOP legislature to do the right thing for its citizens health and wellbeing, their bodies will be buried and already decomposed before that ever happens! Ignore the anti-vac, anti-science, anti-common sense idiots in this state, of which there are many. Go to any of the multitude of good and credible doctors or public pharmacies who actually practice good medicine for your health care needs. If you intend to rely on this state’s Dept. of Health for ANYTHING, please make sure you have a will in place and have let your loved ones know what they should do with your remains.
kmaryday says
Florida Healthcare Insurance is only covering it for their Medicare patients at this point. Ignoring the rest of their members. They don’t know when they’ll approve coverage for other members and then anyone with the youngest kids will have to scramble to find it because pediatricians locally don’t order it and their pharmacists who have done the vaccines in the past don’t vaccinate littles. With the original vaccines I had to drive to Schulenbacher in Jacksonville twice, and then a Walgreens in Jax for the last booster available because of the situation, where a tech did my then 3 year olds vaccine.
public health supporter says
Best news about vaacines is gop supporters are dying 5x as fast as nonsupporters. Lets make work requirements for social security and medicare if your not working you dont get it lol. would be hilarious watching the oldies try to find a job in todays world. Oh theres not enough jobs…not my problem..then if you find one as long its more then the govt established threshold of 12,000 per year you make too much to qualify for said programs anyways so uncle sam can save that money and buy 4 new fighter jets (maintenence not included).
Honestly though why have health departments at all if we dont care about health only short term profitability for shareholders is what really matters.
endless dark money says
The only plan is to keep business as usual until too many wake up to see what a de-saster we have left ourselves and all of humanity in.Big oil pays people like racist ron to deny the truth to keep profits high.
Deborah Coffey says
The upside: There will fewer Republican voters in 2024.
Laurel says
Public Health Supporter: First, I question your handle. Next, your bigotry is showing. My “oldie” husband is still working at a good job. I (another oldie) was offered a full time, good, local job, with benefits. I turned it down as I’m done with full time, and want to pursue other life options. If you cannot find a job in today’s market, it’s on you.
Meanwhile, we will continue to be vaxed.