Caregivers who bring in a person 65 years of age and over for the shot can also get the shot



[ad_1]

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – A Facebook post by Florida State Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) may give the impression that anyone who brings someone 65 or older to the federal vaccination site in Gateway Mall on Saturday can get it done vaccinate, but this is not entirely true.

Caregivers who accompany seniors who are eligible to be vaccinated qualify to be vaccinated – as Gibson’s leaflet is titled – but not “everyone who brings an elderly person can get the vaccine,” as the text below reads. of his message.

Although not specified in state or federal guidelines for the FEMA vaccination site, caregivers can be vaccinated if they are accompanying someone they care for, if that person is 65 years of age or older, has FEMA spokesperson Kimber Kipp confirmed to News4Jax.

Some states have specific criteria defining caregivers. News4Jax is trying to find out if Florida has any rules.

A d

The Gibson flyer promotes a We Care event from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Norwood Avenue site.

“Bring your loved one 65+ and meet me for We Care – Everyone has one!” honey dips and ice cream event! the flyer reads.

Gibson said the event she was promoting was to encourage more seniors to get vaccinated because the Gateway site did not use up all of its available vaccines every day.

Current qualifications for federal sites in Florida, including Gateway Mall:

  • Residents and staff of long-term care facilities

  • People 65 and over

  • Health personnel in direct contact with the patient

  • Employees of K-12 schools of all ages

  • Sworn law enforcement officers aged 50 and over

  • Firefighters aged 50 and over

Although Gibson’s event hours are limited, the Gateway site is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

“I’m so happy because it protects me and protects others,” Maria Gomez said as she left Gateway on Friday.

Gomez’s 21-year-old nephew is also shot. He was eligible due to a health issue, but he would have been eligible as a caregiver and he believes it is crucial to contain this pandemic.

A d

“I think this is important, especially if you are dealing with an elderly population,” said Ibraheem Ahmed. “They’re more susceptible to the virus, so it’s important that both can catch it.

There will be another change in criteria Monday when the age to qualify for a vaccine at all Florida sites drops to 60, per Governor Ron DeSantis’ latest executive order.

And the FEMA-run satellite sites currently at the Normandy Community Center and Hammond Senior Center will close on Saturday and move and open in new locations on Sunday for the next 10 days. They offer a choice of Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

  • Carver Center, 777 South 5th Street, Jacksonville Beach

  • Oceanway Community Center, 12215 Sago Avenue West, Jacksonville

People wishing to get vaccinated at one of the federal sites or the state-run site of Regency Square are encouraged to pre-register by going to the state’s online site – myvaccine.fl.gov – or by calling Duval County reservation number – 866-200-3762. However, appointments are not necessary.

A d

For links to all pharmacy listings and state-run immunization sites in other counties, click our story Where to get COVID-19 vaccines in Northeast Florida.

Transportation is available. Call JTA at 904-630-3100 to arrange a ride.

Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.

[ad_2]

Source link