FL Residents Fear Their Vaccines Are Going To Non-Residents

FLORIDA, FL — While most Florida counties have made improvements to their coronavirus vaccine registration portals, so it's easier for residents age 65 and over to sign up, thousands of residents say they still can't make appointments to be vaccinated.

Seniors are complaining that, within an hour or two after counties open their vaccine registration portals to allow residents to make appointments, all slots are claimed.

Clearwater resident Richard Hunter is among the frustrated residents who hasn't been able to get a vaccination appointment.

"I signed up, then I did as instructed and hit "get vaccinated" to book an appointment," said Hunter. "I selected my closest location and nothing happened. I did this five different times, and it would not let me past that screen. I was hoping it would say I was registered for an appointment. But nothing. Help me."

"I am getting desperate because my husband is 75 years old and I am 74, and we have not been able to get vaccinated," said Miriam Fernandez. "We registered on Jan. 12 at the Hillborough (County) site, but were not able to get the appointments before it crashed. I found out through a neighbor that Pinellas had more vaccines on Jan. 15, but it was too late for me. They were gone."

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents Pinellas and Pasco counties, said his office has been inundated with phone calls and emails from residents age 65 and up complaining they can't get an appointment.

"I know many of you experienced difficulties trying to log in or call for appointments," he said in a letter to constituents. "I've shared your feedback with the state and local officials who are running the program. I agree that the system is frustrating, and I know they are working on improving the process. I will keep advocating for you."

Difficulties registering for an appointment isn't the only concern.

Many residents are frustrated after spending hours online or on the phone trying to get an appointment only to be told they're all taken — many by people from other states.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's executive order regarding qualifications for receiving vaccines allows snowbirds and visiting residents age 65 and over to receive vaccines as long as they are staying in Florida long enough to receive the second dose.

Resident Daniel Crowe believes more vaccines should be reserved for full-time Florida residents including those under age 65 who have compromised immune systems and are more likely to die if they contract coronavirus.

"I am considered to be a healthy 74, and I am quite willing to wait for my turn to be vaccinated," said Crowe. "But I cannot understand how we can allow those who are more likely to die from COVID-19 to be ignored."

Crowe said he attempted to help a 63-year-old woman who has COPD, Type 2 diabetes and other ailments sign up, and she was rejected because she's not yet 65 years old.

"The governor's executive order regarding vaccinations clearly notes that persons with serious pre-existing conditions were to be considered one of the first to be vaccinated," Crowe said. "So how are these people supposed to have access to vaccinations? I have contacted several health departments regarding this issue without an answer."

DeSantis's order reads:

"During this first phase of vaccine administration, all providers administering any COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

• Long-term care facility residents and staff;
• Persons 65 years of age and older; and
• Health care personnel with direct patient contact.

Hospitals, however, also may vaccinate persons who they deem to be extremely
vulnerable to COVID-19."

The list of hospitals in Florida with vaccines available can be found here.

Another resident commented that, when he finally went to his appointment to get vaccinated, the parking lot was filled with cars that had license plates from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, New York and Kentucky.

The state DOH said it doesn't have data on how many out-of-state or part-time Florida residents have received the vaccine in Florida but confirmed there are no statewide residency requirements (see the Florida coronavirus vaccination plan).

"Vaccinating snowbirds, people who live here, rent, own a house, pay taxes, contribute to the economy, they're eligible. If they get sick while they're here, they wind up in our hospitals," said Florida Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz.

He said snowbirds shouldn't have to wait until they return to their home state to get vaccinated.

However, he draws the line at people coming to Florida from other states only to be vaccinated.

"Vaccine tourism is not permitted. It is abhorrent. People should not be flying here to get a vaccine and flying out," said Moskowitz.

He admitted that the reason counties are quickly running out of vaccines is because the state hasn't received the number of vaccine from the federal government it was promised.

See related story: Florida DOH Says It Can't Get Enough Vaccine To Meet Demand

As of Jan. 16, the federal government has sent Florida more than 1.4 million vaccine doses, and 1,007,716 people in Florida have been vaccinated, according to the Department of Health. This figure includes the required second dose of the vaccine.

Of the 4.5 million residents in Florida age 65 and over, 353,081 vaccines went to people age 65 to 74; 199,912 to those age 75 to 84; and 81,140 to those age 85 and up.

The remainder of the vaccines distributed in Florida went to long-term care facility residents under the age of 65, long-term health facility staff members, front-line health care workers and first responders.

To see how many people have been vaccinated in your county, click here.

But there's hope for seniors as hospitals and federally approved community health centers begin their own vaccination programs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also contracted with CVS and Walgreens to administer the coronavirus vaccines. The two drugstore chains say they are in the process of setting up vaccination programs including installing the refrigeration systems to store the vaccines at the necessary 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

DeSantis also plans to expand the state's public-private partnerships with Publix Supermarkets and churches in underserved communities.

"We are working to get as much vaccine for our citizens as possible, but Florida will not, nor will any state, have enough to vaccinate everyone right off the bat," DeSantis said. "And, of course, we are looking forward to clinical trials concluding for Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine, which is a one-dose vaccine and does not require any special storage."

In the meantime, on Sunday the DOH reported 7,884 new cases of the coronavirus out of the 85,745 people tested, bringing the total to 1,579,281 residents infected since the pandemic began. This is a downward trend from earlier in the week which saw:

• 10,825 positive cases Saturday
• 11,940 positive cases Friday
• 16,517 positive cases Thursday

As of Sunday, 68,170 residents have been hospitalized and 24,657 residents have died. Four people died Saturday, 16 people Friday and 24 people on Thursday.

Florida's overall positivity rate is currently 9.19 percent.

See related stories:

• All Appointments Filled For Next Round Of Vaccines In Pinellas
• Task Force Warns Florida Of 'Full COVID-19 Resurgence': Report
• Hillsborough County To Take Coronavirus Vaccines To Those In Need
• Hillsborough County Hopes To Draw Up Plan To Vaccinate Teachers