The Phoenix Flyer

DeSantis’ new, somewhat vague timeline for COVID vaccine: 60 and older, 55 and older, general public

By: Danielle J. Brown - March 10, 2021 3:59 pm

DeSantis floats opening vaccine eligibility to people aged 55 and up, and then the general public. Source: Screenshot/Florida Channel

COVID vaccines may open to the general public in Florida once residents 55 and older have gotten the shots, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a Wednesday press conference.

Currently, the priorities are focused on people aged 65 and up. Starting Monday, Floridians aged 60 and older will be eligible for the COVID vaccines, DeSantis announced earlier this week.

With the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Florida, DeSantis said on Wednesday that COVID vaccines could be expanded to more Floridians “relatively soon.”

He floated a vague timeline of who would be next for the shots, once demand for the 60-and-up age range decreases.

“Then we’ll lower the age to 55 in due time,” he said at the press conference.

He continued: “Then I think once we get all the 55-and-up, then you probably can just open it up to the general public at that point.”

He did not provide further details.

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Danielle J. Brown

Danielle J. Brown is a 2018 graduate of Florida State University. She has served as an editorial intern for International Program’s annual magazine and Rowland Publishing. She was born and raised in Tallahassee and reviews community theater productions for the Tallahassee Democrat.