Florida to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults 18 and older

Starting Monday, April 5, all Floridians ages 18 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced.

DeSantis said all Floridians ages 40 and older will be eligible statewide beginning Monday, March 29. On April 5, that eligibility requirement will be expanded to those 18 and up. 

In Orange County, those 40 and older have been eligible to receive the vaccine at the Orange County Convention Center since March 22.

"We’ve now vaccinated over 70% of the roughly 4.4 million seniors  living in the state," DeSantis said. "We’ve also made great progress on those ages 60 to 64, and those age 50 and older, and we’re ready to take this step. If you look at the hospitalizations and case rates for seniors, they have plummeted since the start of our seniors-first strategy, and we want to keep up that momentum as we expand eligibility to other age groups throughout the state of Florida."

DeSantis said the state has set up more than 100 county state vaccination sites and has also brought the vaccine directly unto underserved communities. Florida also has been partnering with pharmacy retailers to offer the vaccine.

There are now 1,600 pharmacies throughout the state offering COVID-19 vaccines, DeSantis said. This includes 730 Public pharmacies, more than 150 CVS locations, more than 125 Sams Club and Walmart locations and more than 70 Winn-Dixie locations. DeSantis added that Walgreens will be expanding to more than 400 additional locations, bringing their total to more than 600 statewide.

"We’ve made great progress, and I look forward to continuing to work hard to make sure everyone in Florida who wants a shot can get a shot — no mandate, but access for all," DeSantis said.

Floridians are encouraged to preregister for the vaccine at myvaccine.fl.gov. Once preregistered, they will be contacted when the vaccine is available in their area.