COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE FOR MONROE COUNTY

(Monroe County, Fla.)— In Monroe County, COVID-19 vaccine supply is currently limited. The distribution of vaccines is determined not only by what the federal government sends to Florida, but also by what the State of Florida sends to each county. Counties do not have the ability to control the amount of vaccines that are received.

To date, 418 Monroe County residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19 (see: flhealthcovid19.gov). These individuals include health care personnel with direct patient contact, EMS, firefighters, long-term care facility residents and staff, and special needs persons over the age of 65. With the limited number of vaccines available to the county, the department continues to vaccinate those high-risk populations. The department has also asked all health care providers to register on Florida Shots to assist in the vaccination efforts in Monroe County.

When additional vaccines arrive in Monroe County, additional populations will be immunized. Persons over the age of 65 will be able to register to receive their vaccine via a website, or by calling a phone number, both of which are on hold at this time, but will be available by the end of this week.

“With time, there will be enough vaccines to inoculate everyone. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we face this unprecedented health crisis at hand,” says Bob Eadie, Administrator and Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County.

Please follow monroe.flhealth.gov/covid19 for updates or call the 24/7 hotline at 866-779-6121. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines in Florida at: floridahealthcovid19.gov/covid-19-vaccines-in-florida. Vaccine distribution plan here: https://www.flgov.com/2020/12/10/governor-ron-desantis-provides- update-on-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-plan-2/

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