Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Executive Order Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccinations For 65 and Older

By | December 24, 2020

On Wednesday, December 23, 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Executive Order 20-315, which provides the following:

During this first phase of vaccine administration, all providers administering any COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

• Long-term care facility residents and staff;
• Persons 65 years of age and older; and
• Health care personnel with direct patient contact.

Hospitals, however, also may vaccinate persons who they deem to be
extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Governor DeSantis also announced that in addition to hospitals, County
Health Departments will begin vaccinating individuals 65 and older in the
coming weeks as supply permits.

At this time, a limited amount of COVID-19 vaccine has been received by select County Health Departments; as more doses become available, County Health Departments will work with their community partners to provide vaccines to those 65 and older.

Over the past two weeks, more than 170 hospitals across the state have
received doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, and as a part of their allocation,
hospitals received enough doses to vaccinate their entire frontline health
care staff and have vaccine remaining.

STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-315
(COVID-19 Vaccine Administration/Protecting Florida’s Seniors)

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52, declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-276, extending the state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19;

and WHEREAS, the State of Florida is leading the effort to distribute the vaccine to the elderly and vulnerable populations of the State; and

WHEREAS, partnership with local hospitals and other vaccine providers is essential to ensure efficient vaccine administration.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron DeSantis, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order:

During this first phase of vaccine administration, all providers administering any COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

• Long-term care facility residents and staff;
• Persons 65 years of age and older; and
• Health care personnel with direct patient contact.
Hospitals, however, also may vaccinate persons who they deem to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.