Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Friday afternoon allowing physicians to vaccinate patients who are deemed “extremely vulnerable” to COVID-19.
The order states, “In addition to hospital providers, physicians licensed under Florida Statutes may also vaccinate persons whom they deem to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.”
Executive order number 21-46 by ActionNewsJax on Scribd
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Advanced practice registered nurses and pharmacies are also listed under the order. Previously, only hospitals had access to the vaccine to distribute to primary care patients.
Duval County Medical Association President Dr. Elizabeth DeVos said the state hasn’t been very descriptive about who fits in the “vulnerable” category.
“Some additional leeway, I think, for those physicians to identify patients they think are particularly vulnerable for their circumstances,” she said.
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Dr. DeVos added that it would include patients with chronic illnesses, including heart and lung disease.
She said the Duval County Health Department didn’t know exactly when doctors’ offices would get doses but added that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be easier to store.
“We’re talking about refrigerator temperatures rather than ultra-cold freezers.”
In a statement to Action News Jax, Telescope Health said, “[Our] physicians do not have access to the vaccine at this point due to current distribution channels. This executive order does however signal hopeful change in the distribution to more providers and patients, but those capable of providing the vaccine are still a small group at this point.”
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