Retired teachers in their 70s fly from New York to their second home in Florida for four days to get the COVID vaccine as Gov DeSantis denies there s an influx of medical tourists saying its snowbirds getting the shots
Retired New York couple Phil and Roberta Rice, both in their early 70s, flew to Florida earlier this month for four days to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because the state is allowing people 65 and up to get the shot
They got the shot on January 7 and will drive back down for the second dose and stay the rest of the winter in their second home in Naples, Florida
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says he wants to limit vaccine doses to people living within city limits
Suarez asked the city manager and attorney take all legal steps necessary to prevent nonresidents from getting vaccines before the elderly and high-risk
Local leaders say they cannot turn anyone away because of residency because there is no statewide residency requirement
Gov Ron DeDantis (R) discouraged people from flying down to Florida but said reports of tourists and day-trippers getting shots were exaggerated
It comes as real estate moguls Bill and David Mack reportedly helped get their friends jabs at a retirement home chaired by David
Hillsborough
Hillsborough County is partnering with the state of Florida to open a new drive-through coronavirus vaccine site.
The site opened Jan. 20 and is located at University Mall, 2200 E. Fowler Ave. It will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The site will administer 1,600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine each day to front-line health care workers and people 65 and older who have pre-registered.
Appointments are required, and individuals are encouraged to bring a government-issued form of ID and health insurance information.
To make an appointment, call 1-866-200-3896, TTY 1-833-476-1029.
Other vaccine locations:
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As of 4 p.m., January 5, 2021 – Appointments for the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine are no longer available at this time for residents age 65 and older in Hillsborough County.
Appointment availability is based on the supply of vaccine as provided by the State of Florida. The County expects to be able to offer additional appointments next week. Residents can visit HCFLGov.net/vaccine for additional information and updates. The Florida COVID-19 Response website has the latest vaccine count.
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Hillsborough has about 9,000 vaccine doses that will be distributed to residents 65 and older between Wednesday and Saturday of this week. Demand for those appointments has been high. The County expects shipments of vaccine doses weekly, and residents will be notified about how to make appointments as soon as the next batch of vaccines are available.
Hillsborough County closes COVID-19 vaccine appointments as frustration builds
Hillsborough closes vaccine appointments as frustration builds
and last updated 2021-01-06 07:49:35-05
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. â Appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine in Hillsborough County are currently closed until new supply arrives following the second day of frustration from people desperately trying to sign up.
ABC Action News heard again from dozens of people who had trouble getting through over the phone, heard busy signals and hang-ups throughout the day.
âI have called probably about 450 times since 8:00 a.m.,â said Cory Morrocco.
For two days, Morrocco had been trying to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments in Hillsborough County for her family. She says she hadnât been able to get a real person on the phone after hours of attempts.