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With limited vaccines at Florida hospitals, those with underlying conditions out of options
Samantha J. Gross, The Miami Herald
© MATIAS J. OCNER/TNS
A nurse with the COVID-19 unit, holds the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Broward Health Imperial Point in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 23, 2020.
MIAMI — Matthew Smith s favorite mask in his colorful collection of COVID-19 face coverings is the forest green Baptist Health-branded one he received in a Christmas stocking from his adult day program.
Smith, 31, was preparing to wear his green mask when he gets his vaccine at Baptist on Feb. 2. Baptist was the only hospital in South Florida taking appointments for those with underlying health conditions, including Down syndrome. His sister, Rosemary Smith Hoel, snagged him a spot after an hour of refreshing the hospital system s online portal to grab an appointment the moment one became available. ....

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