By Danny Federico Riverbend News
On Thursday, Jan. 21, Florida State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, M.D., issued a public health advisory prioritizing Florida residents in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. According to figures released by the Florida Department of Health (DOH), through Sunday, Jan. 31, there had been a total of 55,122 out-of-state vaccinations given. A number of these could be attributed to "COVID tourism;" a phenomenon that comes from residents from other states where COVID vaccinations are much more restrictive, such as New York, traveling to Florida for the purpose of receiving the vaccine.
Due to the fact that there are a limited number of vaccines available, Surgeon General Rivkees issued his health advisory in order to "protect public health and safety." The advisory further states that, "Prior to providing the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to the intended recipient, every vaccine provider in Florida should ensure the recipient of the vaccine is either: a resident of the State of Florida able to demonstrate residency consistent with the criteria set forth in Florida Statute (a Florida driver's license or state-issued ID); or an individual present in Florida for the purpose of providing health care services involving direct contact with patients.
According to the vaccination summary, 1,147 vaccines have been administered to Hamilton County residents, 3,545 vaccines have been administered to Suwannee County residents and 657 vaccines have been administered to Lafayette County residents—making a total of 5,349 vaccinations given to local residents, as of Monday, Feb. 1.
"The vaccination is going extremely well in Madison," said Lisa Hayes, of the Florida DOH in Madison. "The events have been organized with vaccine recipients walking in at their scheduled appointment time, getting their vaccines timely and leaving very satisfied. We are very pleased with the number of seniors scheduling appointments and getting vaccinated. We are currently vaccinating on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment."
Vaccinations are still being administered to those who are 65 years of age and older and health care workers. Vaccinations are given at: the Hamilton DOH, located at 209 Central Ave. in Jasper; the Lafayette DOH, located at 140 SW Virginia St. in Mayo and the Suwannee DOH, located at 915 Nobles Ferry Rd. in Live Oak.
For more information, or to schedule a vaccination appointment, please contact: the Lafayette County office of the Florida DOH at lafayette.floridahealth.gov or call (386) 294-1321; the Hamilton County office of the Florida DOH at hamilton.floridahealth.gov or call (386) 792-1414 and the Suwannee County office of the Florida DOH at suwannee.floridahealth.gov or call (386) 362-2708.