LONGWOOD, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Seminole County on Monday.
The vaccine-focused briefing began at noon at Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital in Longwood.
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The update comes as Florida enters its fourth week of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, with new efforts to accelerate vaccinations statewide now in the works, according to the governor.
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According to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health, 255,808 people have been vaccinated statewide as of Sunday. Among those to receive the vaccine are Florida’s frontline health care workers, residents and employees of long-term care facilities and, most recently, the state’s residents 65 and older, all of whom are considered members of vaccine priority groups in Florida.
Vaccine distribution is being prioritized to certain people as the shots are still not widely available. Therefore, officials have chosen to vaccinate those considered most vulnerable first.
Starting Monday, Orlando Health is expanding its vaccination program to reach more members of the community.
Orlando Health vaccination events are now open to:
- All frontline health care professionals not affiliated with Orlando Health (including dental staffs and EMS).
- Residents and staff at nursing homes and assisted living facilities who have been unable to get vaccinated.
- Orlando Health team members, medical staff family members and loved ones who are age 65 or older.
- Orlando Health team members and medical staff members who have not yet received the first dose of the vaccine.
“Since launching our vaccination program on December 18, we have shown that we can successfully vaccinate thousands of people and help protect them from COVID-19,” says David Strong, president and CEO of Orlando Health. “Now we want to rapidly and effectively administer the COVID-19 vaccine we have to even more members of our community.”
Scheduling is required to receive the free Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. To make an appointment, which is available on a first-come basis, individuals should visit https://vaccine.orlandohealth.com. Walk-ups will not be accepted.
More information about how to get vaccinated at other locations throughout Florida can be found here.
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