ORLANDO, Fla. — In total, 50 million coronavirus vaccine doses, or more, could be ready by the end of the year.
Hospitals and pharmacies will play a big role in the early rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, according to a preliminary plan drafted by the state.
Officials are still finalizing where residents would go to get vaccinated and where the doses would be stored.
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It’s a big challenge because at least Pfizer’s vaccine would have to be stored at about 90 degrees below zero.
That’s why, according to the state’s preliminary report, surveys have been sent out to hospitals first to see if they can store the vaccine and vaccinate people.
A Department of Health spokesperson said the report, dated Oct. 16, is the most up-to-date draft of the state’s vaccine plan.
Pfizier’s CEO said if all goes well, his company could distribute 50 million doses this year, and the clock is ticking to make sure Florida is ready to receive some of those.
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According to the state report, surveys were sent out to hospitals to see if they have the means to store the vaccine as well as vaccinate people when the time comes.
It stated similar surveys will go to pharmacies and emergency medical service providers, then county health departments.
It also stated all county health departments have until Dec. 1 to do dry runs of how they distribute the vaccine.
The report also gives a clearer idea of who will get the vaccine first and how.
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According to the preliminary plan, health care workers will be among the first to get vaccinated, likely at participating hospitals.
Long-term care staff and residents will also get first dibs at the initial limited supply through either county health departments or retail pharmacies.
The state will also begin vaccinating first responders.
Then when production ramps up, likely next year, the plan is to open state- and county-run vaccination sites, such as the COVID-19 testing sites at the Orange County Convention Center and Barnett Park in Orange County.
But in Phase 2, they will likely only vaccinate certain people, as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Phase 3, the state expects to have more than enough vaccine for everyone. That’s when anyone can get vaccinated at hospitals, county-run vaccination sites, retail pharmacies and doctor’s offices.
The report does not show when each phase might begin.
See the full report below:
FL Vaccination Plan Latest by Adam Poulisse on Scribd