Lack of evidence in Florida of residence requirement could attract tourists with COVID-19 vaccine

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Against the background of a limited number of COVID-19 vaccines, Florida’s lack of proof of residency requirement could attract COVID-19 vaccine tourists.

Judy Wolff of Fort Lauderdale is eager to receive her first dose of vaccine. The 73-year-old grandmother said she can’t wait to see her grandchildren.

Wolff has been trying to get a date for almost two weeks. She is upset because she knows eight people from New York who fly to South Florida just for the vaccine.

Although these are family and friends, Wolff doesn’t think it’s fair.

“I feel like they’re stealing our vaccinations,” she said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said earlier this week that Florida is a transitional state, so snowbirds, seasonal travelers who take refuge in South Florida to avoid cold winters back home, should have no trouble accessing the vaccine if they have it. 65 years or older.

Mireille Gaouette thinks it’s great, but she couldn’t get access to the vaccine either. The 75-year-old snow bird, from Quebec, Canada, considers Broward County to be the second home. He has been traveling back and forth for 23 years.

“We discourage people who come to Florida just to get a vaccine,” DeSantis said.

Wolff said he knows it’s not true and it hurts many seniors who call Florida home.

“Every time I go there, he writes, ‘Upcoming meetings are full’ and ‘Please try again,’ but are there New Yorkers passing by?” Wolff said.

The Jackson-Dade County Jackson Health System and the Broward County Memorial Healthcare System require photo identification, but only to verify the age requirement.

Local 10 News has a pending application with the Florida Department of Health for data on the number of non-Florida residents receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.