AARP’s Statement on Florida’s 60+ Vaccine Expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2021

CONTACT: Jamie Champion Mongiovi, AARP Florida
(850) 559-7003, jchampion@aarp.org 

TALLAHASSEE – AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson issued the following statement today regarding Florida’s 60+ vaccine expansion. 

“Today, thanks to Governor DeSantis’ ongoing prioritization of our at-risk populations, Floridians 60+ become eligible to get vaccinated. It is encouraging to see this continued prioritization strategy in Florida’s vaccine rollout, and this is the natural next step to increasing vaccine availability without saturating the systems in place.

“In addition to this welcome expansion, AARP applauds the state’s efforts to proactively register homebound individuals. Late last week, Florida invited homebound individuals and their caregivers to sign up through email to receive vaccinations in their home. This is wonderful news for many vulnerable homebound Floridians without access to transportation.

“As Florida moves forward, we encourage vaccination sites to consider priority times or ‘senior hours’ to include previously eligible groups, such as Floridians 65+, law enforcement, school employees, and firefighters. By allowing these at-risk groups to continue receiving vaccinations at dedicated times, Florida could strike a balance in vaccine expansion without leaving behind people who have become ‘vaccine discouraged’ due to their struggles and frustrations with what is often an overly complex process.

“We are encouraged by the optimistic statements from Governor DeSantis that indicate vaccines may soon be available to all Floridians. The past year is proof that our state, our communities and our people are resilient, and we will finish this fight.” 

AARP will continue to provide information about COVID-19 vaccines at aarp.org/coronavirus and in Spanish at aarp.org/ElCoronavirus.

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 AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.