As the age eligibility for a COVID vaccine expands to a younger bracket on Monday, Floridians can expect longer lines at mass vaccination sites.
Floridians age 60 and up can now get a shot, after Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the age limit reduction.
“We expect that with the new criteria, starting Monday, we’re going to see a busy few days as people come out and get the vaccine, so there’s an ebb and a flow and we see the peaks,” said Mike Jachles with FEMA. “If you have a medical condition, you need to have the Department of Health form signed by your physician.”
And now that the age universe has been expanded, expect long lines at vaccination sites…so pack a lunch, water and a chair.
Mass vaccination sites in Palm Beach County include the Palm Beach Gardens Burns Road Community Center, the South Florida Fairgrounds and South County Civic Center.
If you have any questions about the appointment request process, call the Health Care District of Palm Beach County at 561-804-4115.
The governor believes a “vaccine for all approach” may be sooner than later.
“Surely sometime in April, before May I think the vaccine will be available to adults who want it,” according to DeSantis.
Florida Governor DeSantis has expanded the list of populations eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine to include persons 60 years of age and older effective March 15, 2021. The Palm Beach County Community Services Department has reopened its online portal for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) beginning March 10, 2021. A face covering mandate and state of emergency remain in effect for our community. Continue to take precautions against COVID-19. Wear a face covering, practice social distancing, and wash your hands. Be safe!
VACCINES:
NEW – Expanded COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility: Eligible vaccination populations have been expanded in Florida, pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-315 and Executive Order 21-47, beginning March 15, 2021, for 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; and firefighters 50 years of age and older. In addition, individuals determined by a physician to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 may also be vaccinated. Such physician determinations shall include a statement that the patient meets the defined eligibility criteria established by a form prescribed by the Florida Department of Health. For more information and to read the Governor’s executive order, click here!
NEW – Where to get the vaccine: If you are: Long-term care facility resident and staff Person 65 years of age and older (60 years of age and older effective 3/15) Health care personnel with direct patient contact K-12 school employee 50 years of age and older Sworn law enforcement officer 50 years of age and older Firefighter 50 years of age and older Person deemed to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by hospital providers , you can get vaccinated here:
Health Care District of PBC http://vaccine.hcdpbc.org/ (by appointment only)
Florida Department of Health myvaccine.fl.gov
Publix Pharmacies www.publix.com/covid-vaccine/
CVS Pharmacies www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
Walmart/Sam’s Club Pharmacies www.walmart.com/cp/1228302
Winn-Dixie Pharmacies www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine
Walgreens Pharmacies https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-vaccine.jsp
Federally-Supported Vaccine Sites www.floridadisaster.org/vaccine
NEW – Where to get the vaccine: If you are: K-12 school employee, daycare and preschool worker or staff regardless of age, you can get vaccinated here:
Publix Pharmacies www.publix.com/covid-vaccine/
CVS Pharmacies www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
Walmart/Sam’s Club Pharmacies www.walmart.com/cp/1228302
Winn-Dixie Pharmacies www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine
Federally-Supported Vaccine Sites www.floridadisaster.org/vaccine
NEW – For a listing of vaccination sites in Palm Beach County, click here!
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center Now Offering COVID-19 Vaccine to Veterans, Already Receiving Care from the VA, based on CDC and VA Risk Criteria: The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (VA) is now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans who already receive care or are eligible to receive care at the VA, based on CDC and VA risk criteria. According to the VA website, if you are eligible to get a vaccine, your VA health care team will contact you. The vaccine is being offered by appointment only and on a walk-in basis at Building 14 of the main campus at 7305 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The VA is actively vaccinating these patient groups:
Eligible High-Risk Veterans: Community Living Centers and other congregate living settings, Homeless Veterans, Hemodialysis patients, Solid Organ Transplant patients or patients who are listed for transplant, Spinal Cord Injury, and Chemotherapy patients (receiving chemotherapy in a clinic/hospital setting)
Eligible Veterans aged 65 and older
Eligible Veterans employed as essential frontline workers (aged 18 and older); firefighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the education sector (teachers and support staff members) as well as daycare workers who have not yet received the first dose. You must bring identification or documentation that you are employed as an essential worker defined by the CDC.
Eligible Veterans younger than 65 with underlying medical conditions: Underlying medical conditions, as determined by the CDC, can be found here.
Eligible Veterans younger than 65: all Veterans who currently receive care at VA may receive the COVID-19 Vaccine
To receive the vaccine at the VA, you must be able to return to the same site for the second dose. For more information, please visit: https://www.westpalmbeach.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp
For appointment information, call (561) 422-5220.