Broward, Pinellas Named Pilot Counties For Coronavirus Vaccine

Miami FL

11 December, 2020

1:00 PM

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FLORIDA — Broward and Pinellas counties will serve as two of the first Florida counties taking part in the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccination next week, according to a Florida Department of Health news release. News of Florida's pilot program comes as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the state. An additional 11,420 new cases were reported by the DOH Friday, bringing the total to 1,106,396. Florida is one of three states with more than 1 million cases. The Pfizer vaccine will first be given to residents of skilled nursing facilities in those counties and those who care for them. Based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, long-term care facilities residents and health care personnel are included in Phase 1 of Florida's vaccine distribution plan. On Thursday, U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisers met to discuss the emergency authorization for the Pfizer vaccine. The third phase of the vaccine's use in test participants demonstrated it was 95 percent effective following two doses, the news release said. Gov. Ron DeSantis said that Florida will receive 179,400 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine will be given in two doses 21 days apart. Florida will receive 179,400 doses of the Pfizer vaccine & we are prioritizing our most vulnerable residents & high-exposure health care personnel to receive the vaccine first. We are also mobilizing strike teams to supplement vaccination of long-term care residents. pic.twitter.com/wmBcE4pGD1— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 10, 2020 "We are prioritizing our most vulnerable residents (and) high-exposure health care personnel to receive the vaccine first," he tweeted Thursday. "We are also mobilizing strike teams to supplement vaccination of long-term care residents." "The COVID-19 vaccine is a sign of hope as we address this pandemic in Florida," said Dr. Paula Thaqi, director of the DOH in Broward County, said. "We are still encouraging residents and visitors to take common sense precautions to protect themselves from the spread of the virus. These include frequent hand washing, wearing masks, maintaining six feet of social distancing and staying home if you are feeling sick." Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of the DOH in Pinellas County, said, "The arrival of the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Pinellas gives us another way to protect the most vulnerable Pinellas residents and health-care workers who have been hard hit by the pandemic as well as those who provide their care. We are honored to be one of the first two Florida counties to begin the vaccination effort in the state." As plans are finalized, DOH-Broward and DOH-Pinellas will release more details on the vaccination plan. Paramedic teams will administer the vaccines, the news release said. COVID-19 vaccines from other manufacturers will be available for use in Florida at later dates as supplies reach the state.