‘We’re ready to go’: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis breaks down COVID vaccine distribution

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis was in Jacksonville Wednesday, one day after traveling to Washington D.C. to talk about COVID-19 vaccination distribution. The FDA has a hearing set Thursday and could approve emergency-use authorization for Pfizer’s vaccination tomorrow.

QUICK FACTS:

• FDA could approve emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine during the hearing tomorrow
• Doses are ready to be shipped as soon as there’s authorization from FDA
• Walgreens and CVS are contracted to handle distribution, but the National Guard has also been mobilized in Florida to help
• Pfizer will be first, then next week DeSantis expects Moderna will get approval
• Both of these vaccines require two doses (Pfizer = 21 days, Moderna = 28 days)
• 180,000 doses will be distributed in Florida for first round: 100,000 for healthcare workers, 80,000 to long-term care residents
• How many are sent to each city depends on population of healthcare system/size
• Next round of doses will go to broader at-risk (elderly)
• After January 1, they expect Johnson & Johnson will have a vaccine that would only require one dose
• Vaccine will not be mandatory for anyone

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DeSantis said he was positive about the meeting and said doses are ready to ship as soon as they are authorized.

“This is a big logistical undertaking. We’re ready to go,” DeSantis said, but he added there could be delays.

Pfizer will be sending the first round of doses through its own distributor then Walgreens and CVS have been contracted to administer the vaccines. DeSantis said the National Guard is also on standby to help with logistics.

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The Governor said 180,000 will be coming to Florida. 100,000 will go to healthcare workers on the front lines and 80,000 will go to long-term care residents.

“You go through and get those done and then you can open it up,” DeSantis said. “[They] can live a more normal life.”

DeSantis said he expects Moderna’s vaccine to get approved next week which will go to elderly people at higher risk. He also said he expected Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine to get approval after the start of 2021 which can give more broad use to first responders and teachers.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine require two doses. Johnson & Johnson only requires one dose.

Coronavirus: U.S. Vaccine approval may happen Thursday

Governor, Jacksonville Mayor attend dedication of Daily’s Foundation Pavilion at Nemours

DeSantis gave the update on the vaccine while attending the dedication of the Daily’s Foundation Pavilion at Nemours Children’s Health System in Jacksonville.

Mayor Lenny Curry was also at the dedication ceremony.

“Our businesses are working now to recover from the early days of COVID ... this is leadership in full display,” Curry said.

Curry thanked DeSantis for being at the dedication.

“Here in Jacksonville, we have some great [medical systems]. The kids are our future,” DeSantis said.

Daily’s CEO Aubrey Edge announced a $5 million commitment, the largest donation to Nemours in Jacksonville’s history.

“We are entering into a long term partnership,” Edge said.

Desantis in Jacksonville

Cox Media Group