FL Patch Survey: Will You Take The Coronavirus Vaccine?

FLORIDA — With FDA approval of Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccinations just weeks away, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida could begin vaccinating its residents before the end of the month. Patch wants to know if you plan to take the vaccine once it’s received FDA approval.

Though he didn’t release how many doses the state could receive initially, in a video he shared Wednesday night, DeSantis outlined a distribution plan for the vaccine.

Residents of long-term care facilities will be the top priority, he said, as “they are at the greatest risk and this vaccine could have a tremendously positive impact on them.”

Health-care workers in “high-risk and high-contact environments,” as well as Floridians age 65 and older and “those who have significant co-morbidities” are also a high priority when the vaccine is distributed, DeSantis said.

DeSantis also stressed that “no one will be mandated to take the vaccine. This will be available, but not mandated.”

With these developments in mind, we want to know what our readers in Florida think of the coming vaccine options. Will you seek to be vaccinated as soon as possible? Do you believe the scientists taking the lead publicly to encourage vaccinations?

Patch has an anonymous survey below which will be only used to show collective results. It will be open through 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. A results story will be posted on Monday, Dec. 7.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, he said. There are other promising vaccines being produced, including one being manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, that require only a single dose, he added.

Cases continue to rise steadily in Florida. As of Tuesday, it’s one of only three states – joining California and Texas – to record more than 1 million positive cases since the start of the pandemic. As of Thursday, the state’s Department of Health recorded 1,029,030 total cases and 19,112 total deaths in Florida.

In recent weeks, DeSantis has touted the pending coronavirus vaccines ignoring requests by residents and other state, city and county leaders to close schools, put in place a statewide mask mandate and establish other safety protocols.

“Distributing a vaccine across a large and diverse state is a big challenge, but this is a major priority for the state of Florida,” the governor said in Wednesday’s video.

What do you think about the coronavirus vaccines? Take part in Patch’s survey.