New COVID vaccine eligibility rules take effect today in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis announced last week that, starting today, those as young as 50 can get the vaccine. DeSantis also says he expects people of all ages could be eligible by May First.

At this time the following groups can request a COVID-19 vaccination appointment by any available options in Palm Beach County:

Long-term care facility residents and staff.

Persons **60** years of age and older.

Health care personnel with direct patient contact.

K-12 school employees 50 years of age and older.

Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of age and older.

Firefighters 50 years of age and older.

Persons deemed to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19

For more information on vaccine distribution in Palm Beach County click here.

Vice president Kamala Harris will visit Jacksonville today to highlight the “Help is Here” tour and COVID relief plan. She’ll visit a vaccination site and Feeding Northeast Florida.

Promising news on another drug to fight coronavirus. AstraZeneca says its vaccine is 79-percent effective overall, and 100-percent effective against severe illness. The company will file for FDA approval in the coming weeks.