Florida vaccine eligibility expands to 50 and up Monday, Governor DeSantis says

On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that vaccine eligibility across Florida would expand to include 50 years and older at all state-run sites.

Close to 70% of all seniors have been vaccinated in Florida and demand is reportedly dwindling.

Governor DeSantis said the state is currently vaccinating about 150,000 people a day during the week and about 150,000 combined on the weekend. However, he said they have the capacity to increase to 200,000 a day.

“Once you get into the 70′s, it really starts to slow down. Obviously you want to get into every nook and cranny. That’s why we’re doing homebound seniors,” he said during a press conference in Tallahassee Friday.

“Being 50 plus starting Monday is appropriate. I think we have the tempo to do that.”

According to the Department of Health, 4,570,438 Floridians have been completely vaccinated since distribution began in December, which is more than 21 percent of the population.

Governor DeSantis also announced that eligibility would likely expand to anyone 16 and up before May 1st.

“I think our next move will most likely be to say anyone who qualifies under the EUA (Emergency Use Authorization). So anyone 16 or 18 and up depending on the shot,” the Governor said.

The federally-supported Gateway vaccination site in Brentwood confirmed it would start vaccinating 50 and up on Monday and St. Johns County also announced it would accept 50 and up.

Action News Jax reached out to the state-run Regency vaccination site and at time of publishing, we are still waiting to hear an official response.

Cox Media Group