Local

Floridians 60 and older now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines

People 60 and older are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Florida.

The next group comes as seniors, school workers, first responders and the medically-vulnerable continue to get their shots.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the change in a news conference last week.

READ: Stimulus update: Why are some people unable to access their COVID-19 relief checks?

He said the vaccine rollout in Florida is going very well, and many seniors have already received their second dose.

“I think the numbers speak for themselves,” he said. “If you look in the state of Florida, we’ve got we’ve got almost 60% of seniors have gotten shots in Florida. That’s almost 3 million seniors.”

READ: People 60 and older among those who can register for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine at Publix: Here’s how to sign up

Here are the requirements to get vaccinated at most sites:

  • Seniors 60 and up.
  • Health care workers with direct patient contact.
  • First responders who are 50 and up
  • Educators and staffer at schools, day cares and children’s learning centers.
  • Anyone considered medically vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Residents should double check requirements before making an appointment or heading to a vaccination site.

A federally-run vaccination site is open at Valencia College – West Campus, 1800 S. Kirkman Road.

READ: New federally supported COVID-19 vaccination site coming to Orlando

The site operates seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

No appointment is needed at the site.

Karen Winkle feels like one of the lucky ones, because she survived a scary pandemic without getting COVID-19 before getting vaccinated.

“I feel so good, I do,” she said. “I feel so good.”

READ: Florida man accused of spitting at Disney security guard who asked him to wear face mask

Winkle is 62 years old, and was able to get an appointment at the Orange County Convention Center on the first day her age group was able to sign up.

“It’s exciting,” said Kent Donahue with the Orange County Department of Health. “We’re actually at capacity today. (We’re) over capacity.”

That’s something county health officials couldn’t say last week.

READ: Here’s why you’re paying more at the pump, and when prices might level off

The site is able to vaccinate 3,000 people a day. The Orange County vaccination site opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m., and it’s only closed on Sundays.

But up until the 60-and-over age group was eligible, they were able to see about half that on some days.

“But we do have appointments available the rest of this week. So go on to the website and create your account. If you are eligible, get your appointment and pick a day,” Donahue said.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.

Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.