Parents may have to wait another month for COVID-19 vaccines for kids

ORLANDO, Fla. — Pediatricians in Central Florida said they don’t have vaccines for kids yet and may not be able to administer them for another month.

Samantha Taylor made an appointment at her local Publix on Tuesday for her daughter to get vaccinated, only to be told days later the appointment was canceled.

“They said they didn’t have any, and they didn’t know when they would get them,” Taylor said.

Read: DeSantis announces special session to protect those whose jobs are affected by vaccine mandate

People looking to make appointments said the website shows that they can book appointments at some locations, but when they try to view the locations, Publix isn’t there.

Representatives with Publix have not yet said why they don’t have the vaccine.

It was the state of Florida that named Publix as one of the the first pharmacies to offer vaccines for adults when the vaccine was rolled out for adults earlier this year.

Video: See where your child can get the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County

On Thursday Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state would not be making any special orders.

“We’re not doing vaccine sites that are at the pharmacies. They’re readily available for everybody,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis has long pushed against mask mandates and vaccinations, saying there is no way he will allow Florida to require kids to get vaccinated.

Video: AdventHealth doctors encourage parents to get newly eligible children vaccinated for COVID-19

Elsewhere, states like Arkansas preordered thousands of child vaccines, while others are setting up large sites to get kids vaccinated.

South Carolina said they will use the vast supply they have already on hand to vaccinate those children ages 5 to 11 who want it.

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Cox Media Group