CENTRAL FLORIDA – As of Monday, Orlando Health is expanding its vaccine distribution program, which means that patients age 65 and older in the health care system will be able to make vaccination schedules throughout Central Florida.
Starting Monday, Orlando Health will allow people over the age of 65 to make appointments in six locations in Orange, Lake and Osceola counties.
- Orlando – Lake Mary Health Emergency Room, 380 Rinehart Rd., Lake Mary, FL, 32746
- Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – Summerport, 5151 Winter Garden Vineland Rd., Windermere, FL, 34787
- Orlando Health – Health Central Park – Winter Garden, 411 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden, FL, 34787
- Orlando Health Medical Pavilion – St. Cloud, 1330 Budinger Ave., st. Cloud, FL, 34769
- Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute – Downtown Orlando, 1222 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL, 32806
- Orlando Health South Lake Hospital Emergency Room – Blue Cedar, 22316 US Highway 27, Leesburg, FL, 34748
It is part of an extension of its vaccine distribution program. Leaders said that due to limited supply, scheduling information will be communicated directly to those eligible through a randomization process.
Gov. Ron DeSantis made vaccine seniors the focus of his Bay County news conference on Sunday morning.
“If we put the elderly first, we do the right thing from our parents and grandparents. It is what needs to be done morally, it is also medically correct. Based on the data, the fact is, this virus has been more deadly to the elderly, “DeSantis said.
He spoke at a nursing home in Bay County, explaining why the elderly should be given priority.
“This virus has been more deadly to the elderly than to the middle-aged, so focusing on 65-plus is the best thing we can do to reduce morbidity and mortality,” DeSantis said.
Florida Department of Health statistics show that more than 235,000 seniors have already received their first dose. Of these, 133,000 are in the 65-74 age range.
DeSantis said he and other officials hope next week that the state will receive another 250,000 vaccines and are working with hospitals, Publix and other locations to receive the vaccines.
“We know who’s doing well, we know where to put the vaccine,” DeSantis said.
Spectrum News 13 reporter Justin Soto contributed to the story.