JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — If you’re visiting a state or federally-supported COVID-19 vaccine site in Florida, you will no longer need to show proof of residency to get your shot.
Instead of showing your license or another document to prove you live in Florida, you will now be asked verbally whether you’re a resident, or whether you’re living here for work.
You will still need to complete a screening and consent form, and you will still need to show proof of age to comply with FDA emergency-use authorization.
As a reminder, you must be at least 18 years old to receive a Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
You must be at least 16 years old to receive a Pfizer vaccine.
The change went into effect on Friday, following a health advisory from Florida’s Surgeon General.
Jose Rodriguez with the Hispanic Health Council of Jacksonville says he’s been fighting for this since March to help get migrant workers vaccinated.
“They have to get out there and work, and they have to interact with people,” he said. “And if they get infected, they infect others. These are people that are out there every day.”
Last month, Action News Jax reported how Florida’s ID requirements were making it difficult for many undocumented immigrants to get vaccinated.
“It’s sad but we don’t trust the system,” Rodriguez explained. “But at least with this, the government is taking the first step to say trust me, I’m here for you.”
With lower demand, the move will help make sure no vaccines are wasted.
Action News Jax dug through state records and found 418 non-residents were vaccinated statewide on Friday.
In total, more than 209,000 visitors have been vaccinated overall statewide.
Rodriguez is in Peru right now, where vaccines are scarce, so he wants everyone to take advantage of the fact that vaccines are free and available in the United States.
“Here in South America, even if you want to pay $1,000 dollars, here. $5,000 dollars, you cannot get a vaccine. It’s not available,” he said.
But Rodriguez thinks it’s also important to spread the word.
“If you know someone that has not been vaccinated, and you have had a good experience, pass the word around. Get them vaccinated,” he added.
Cox Media Group
