Florida prepares for Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine if approved by FDA

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida and the rest of the country could soon have another choice when it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine.

But how close are we to the emergency government authorization of Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine? And when could it end up at facilities in Central Florida?

The company announced it has 4 million doses ready to ship as soon as it gets the green light.

Read: Floridians under 65 should be able to get COVID-19 vaccine next month, DeSantis says

“This is going to certainly change things in the state of Florida,” said Seminole County Emergency Management Director Alan Harris.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “If all goes to plan, you should start seeing Johnson & Johnson sometime next week.”

But exactly when next week? And how many doses will providers receive?

When asked about additional details in Seminole County, Harris said, “I haven’t been given any direction or any timeline.”

Read: UF Health one of few hospitals performing double-lung transplants for COVID-19 patients

Officials said without any sort of idea on when the vaccines will arrive, it will be a challenge to get the vaccine into people’s arms before the second week of March.

“The problem is staffing right - and locations,” Harris said.

Harris said Seminole County’s first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine allotment was “on a weekly basis.” He added “Now, we’re getting just above 4,500.”

The vaccines have been funneled to other locations, including hospitals, churches and Publix pharmacies.

Read: COVID-19 vaccines coming to all Florida Publix pharmacy locations

DeSantis said he wants law enforcement officers and teachers over 50 vaccinated at a soon-to-open Federal Emergency Management Agency site at Valencia College.

The Food and Drug Administration advisory committee that will review Johnson & Johnson’s data will meet at 9 a.m. Friday.

Studies show this vaccine is safe and 66% effective at preventing COVID-19.

See the full report in the video above.

Cox Media Group