Florida expands vaccine eligibility to teachers, first responders over 50 as state prepares for Johnson & Johnson vaccine

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that Florida is expected to receive 175,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week.

The news comes as DeSantis also announced that he’d signed an executive order opening up vaccinations for teachers, law enforcement officers and firefighters, age 50 and older.

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He said he thinks the demand for vaccines among those 65 and older is decreasing, observing that places like Publix pharmacies are seeing a slowdown in when appointments are booked.

“It took a lot longer to fill up tens of thousands of slots than it did two or three weeks ago, so I think we’re reaching critical mass,” DeSantis said.

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The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is less effective than the Moderna and Pfizer two-dose vaccines in clinical trials, preventing 66% of moderate to severe cases of COVID-19.

But in its trials, the pharmaceutical company said its vaccine was 85% effective at preventing severe illness and 100% effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths 28 days after individuals were vaccinated.

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The vaccine is also said to be effective against the potentially more dangerous variants.

Johnson & Johnson vaccine has ‘favorable safety profile’ (Johnson & Johnson vaccine has ‘favorable safety profile’)