Caregivers who bring someone over the age of 65 to get vaccinated can also get a shot

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Facebook post by Florida Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) may give the impression that anyone bringing a 65-year-old or older to the federal vaccination site at Gateway Mall on Saturday can get hit, but this is not really true.

Caregivers who accompany older people who qualify for vaccination qualify for a shot – as Gibson’s flyer is called – but not “anyone who brings a senior can be vaccinated,” as read below. .

Although not specified in the state or federal guidelines for the FEMA vaccination site, caregivers can get a hit if they accompany a person they care for, if that person is over 65, the FEMA spokesman confirmed to News4Jax, Kimber Kipp.

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

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

“Bring your 65-year-old and over and meet me for We Care – Everyone gets one! honey and ice cream dips! Reads the flyer.

Gibson said the event he is promoting is to encourage more seniors to get their vaccines because the Gateway website did not use all the vaccines available every day.

Current qualifications for Florida federal sites, including Gateway Mall:

  • Residents and staff of long-term care units

  • People over the age of 65

  • Medical staff with direct contact with the patient

  • K-12 school employees of any age

  • Law enforcement jurors aged 50 and over

  • Firefighters aged 50 and over

Although Gibson 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 she’s protecting me and protecting other people,” Maria Gomez said when she left Gateway on Friday.

Gomez’s 21-year-old nephew also receives a blow. He was eligible due to a medical condition, but would have been his caregiver and considers it crucial in containing this pandemic.

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“I think it’s important, especially if you take care of an elderly population,” said Ibraheem Ahmed. “They are more susceptible to the virus, so it is important that both are able to receive it.”

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

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

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

  • Oceanway Community Center, 12215 Sago Ave. W., Jacksonville

Individuals wishing to be vaccinated on one of the federal or state-run sites in Regency Square are encouraged to pre-register by accessing the state’s online site – myvaccine.fl.gov – or by calling the county’s reservation number. Duval – 866 -200-3762. However, appointments are not required.

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

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

Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax – All rights reserved.

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