Floridians under 65 who are ‘extremely vulnerable’ to COVID-19 are eligible for vaccine, but struggle to access shots

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — People with underlying medical conditions who are considered extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 are eligible for the vaccine in Florida, even if they’re under the age of 65.

However, Action News Jax found people who fall into that category are struggling to access the vaccine.

Under an executive order issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Dec. 23, hospitals can vaccinate people under 65 who they deem to be “extremely vulnerable.”

Tim Sohl said his 18-year-old daughter is considered high-risk.

“My daughter was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic at the age of 16,” Sohl said. “She’s also IgA deficient, which is an antibody for respiratory, so if you don’t have the antibody you have respiratory complications.”

He said they’ve called several local hospitals, but none will give her the vaccine.

“It’s all about vaccinating over 65. It’s never about the ones with extreme vulnerable conditions. It’s part of the executive order, but it seems to be overlooked,” Sohl said.

The executive order doesn’t define comorbidities that would make someone younger than 65 eligible. Therefore, it’s up to a hospital’s discretion to decide who is “extremely vulnerable.”

“That ‘extreme’ is subjective. I mean, what does that word really mean?” Sohl said.

He said he’s concerned it might take too long for his daughter to get the vaccine.

“It kills me because she can’t live her life,” Sohl said.

Action News Jax reached out to area hospitals to find out who it’s vaccinating:

• UF HEALTH: All employees, relatives of employees 65+ and patients 65+. However, we are not taking new appointments right now. We are vaccinating 1st and 2nd doses for those who have made appointments. Waiting to see if we are going to receive another shipment.
• BAPTIST HEALTH: While individuals under the age of 65 with CDC-qualifying conditions are eligible under the Governor’s Executive Order, our vaccination plan has primarily focused on health care personnel with direct patient contact and community members 65+. Currently, due to unavailability of the vaccine, we have no first doses for any priority group at this time.
• MAYO CLINIC: Mayo Clinic in Florida administered both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to Mayo Clinic staff (healthcare workers) and patients (65+ with high-risk indications), per current FL state regulation

Cox Media Group