On Sunday,
60 Minutes ran a 13-minute segment about Florida s distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The TV newsmagazine reported on several critiques of the rollout that have been widely covered by local news outlets, including the racial divide among the state s vaccinated population and the optics of a vaccination site opening in the wealthy, politically connected community of Lakewood Ranch outside Bradenton in Manatee County.
But the climax of the piece, which focuses on Palm Beach County, was an exchange in which
60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi questioned Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis about the state s partnership with Publix for vaccine distribution after the grocery chain donated $100,000 to the governor s re-election campaign late last year.
At long last, the day has arrived: One year, one month, and four days after the first coronavirus case was reported in Florida, the COVID-19 vaccine is available for all state residents age 16 and older.
Starting this week, those residents can begin to make appointments or try their luck at a first-come, first-serve site, regardless of their medical history or occupation. Previously, the shots were only available to residents over 40, people with high-risk health conditions, and workers in certain occupations, like education or policing.
If you re new to all of this, there are a few things to know upfront.
First, you re not limited to vaccine sites in your city or county Florida residents can snag an appointment at any vaccination site in the state. The Pfizer shot is available to teens as young as 16; for the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, you must be at least 18. You probably already know, but the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots a few weeks apart, while
Miami Dade College North Campus
Starting today, Florida s four federal vaccination sites in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville will administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In Miami, the federal site is at Miami Dade College s North Campus, 11380 NW 27th Ave.
The site is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and no appointment is necessary. As of now, the site plans to have up to 3,000 doses available per day.
ICYMI: Beginning today, the federally-supported vaccination sites in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville & Miami can administer up to 3,000 doses of the J&J vaccine at each site. All individuals 18 & older are eligible to receive the vaccine. Learn more - https://t.co/DffUT7RpUk FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) April 6, 2021
First, you re not limited to vaccine sites in your city or county Florida residents can snag an appointment at any vaccination site in the state. The Pfizer shot is available to teens as young as 16; for the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, you must be at least 18. You probably already know, but the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots a few weeks apart, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is administered in a single dose.
There are a few different ways you can try to get a vaccine. Most of the major pharmacy chains are now carrying the vaccine in Florida, including Publix, Walmart, CVS, Sam s Club, Walgreens, and Winn-Dixie. Each has its own booking platform and method for releasing appointment times. A recent thread on the Miami subreddit has some tips for how and when to try to snag an appointment.