Florida authorized the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine to assisted living facilities (ALFs) in the state as of Tuesday morning.
A statewide association of ALFs had written to Gov. Ron DeSantis last week asking for a timeline of when staff and residents of Florida s more than 3,000 facilities could schedule vaccinations.
A representative of the Florida Assisted Living Facilities Association met with the governor’s staff Monday, the group said, and was told authorization would be forthcoming in “the next couple of days.
When asked for clarification of when would that be, DeSantis spokeswoman Meredith Beatrice said Tuesday.
“The ALF program has been activated and federal partners, CVS and Walgreens may begin scheduling,” Beatrice said in an e-mail exchange Tuesday morning.
Floridaâs assisted living facilities to DeSantis: What about our vaccines?
Residents and staff were supposed to be included in the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine plan.
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Marlys Meckler, 81, on left, meets with her husband, Milton Meckler, 87, in the living room of the Grand Villa of St. Petersburg, 3600 34th St S, an assisted living facility that has opened its doors to visitors after not permitting visitors for the past six months, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 in St. Petersburg. Marlys was visiting Milton, who is a resident of the facility. The couple has been married for 61 years. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Published Dec. 24, 2020
Long-term care facilities prepare for potential COVID-19 vaccine
A potential vaccine for COVID-19 is a sign of hope for many, including long term care facilities.
and last updated 2020-12-14 21:56:13-05
TAMPA, Fla. â A potential vaccine for COVID-19 is a sign of hope for many, including long term care facilities.
Federal and state leaders have emphasized frontline healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents should be prioritized once a vaccine is available. Right now, theyâre preparing for when doses may be headed to them.
âItâs the best tool to be able to keep them safe and certainly going to be the easiest way for them to get back to some semblance of normalcy because itâs been very difficult for them over the last several months and trying to keep them safe from COVID. So we really see this as a shining star of hope for all of our residents and staff,â said Bonnie Williamson, the assistant director of compliance for SenCare Manageme