Florida health departments are awaiting direction for the new Covid vaccine. While the deployment of the latest COVID-19 vaccine is gaining traction in multiple states, health departments in Florida have yet to reveal their strategies for making it accessible to the general public. Despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in favor of this updated vaccine, the Florida Department of Health has not issued any official statements on the matter.
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's counsel to individuals under the age of 65, advising them to forgo the updated vaccine, was delivered two weeks ago. During this period, major retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens have embarked on the distribution of this vaccine across Florida. However, this process has encountered certain challenges.
For instance, a small percentage of Florida Blue customers encountered difficulties in securing vaccine coverage due to a system malfunction, as conveyed by a spokesperson to the Florida Phoenix.
Health Departments Played A Pivotal Role In Administering Vaccine
In the period leading up to the conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency by the federal government in May, local health departments played a pivotal role in administering the vaccine.
In contrast, several states, including Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and South Carolina, have seen their county health departments persist in providing the vaccine to uninsured or underinsured individuals. While a few counties in Georgia and South Carolina are still awaiting vaccine shipments, communication officers in those states have confirmed their anticipation of deliveries in the upcoming weeks.
However, in the state of Florida, the timeline for local health departments to commence offering the new vaccine remains uncertain. The Florida Department of Health has not disclosed any specifics to the Florida Phoenix. Queries directed to county health departments such as Broward, Palm Beach, and Hillsborough have been redirected to the state health department.
Certain Counties Are Not Currently Involved In The New Covid Vaccine
The Leon County Health Department has indicated that they are presently not involved in vaccine administration and has referred additional queries to the state communications office. Conversely, the Marion County Health Department in Central Florida is looking forward to the receipt of vaccine doses in the near future, as communicated by the public information officer to the Florida Phoenix, albeit without specifying a precise date.
Meanwhile, Governor Ron DeSantis continues to voice skepticism concerning the new covid vaccine. In a recent interview with ABC News, he expressed his reluctance to allocate funding for the vaccine if he were to assume the presidency.
Individuals without health insurance or insufficient coverage can avail themselves of the new vaccine at no cost through the Bridge Access Program, offered by several pharmacies.
While September has witnessed a decline in COVID-19 cases compared to August in Florida, the situation remains dynamic. According to the biweekly report from the Florida Department of Health, the state reported 19,019 cases in the first week of September and 15,690 in the second week.
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