Jason Delgado
Florida teachers will need to wait longer before becoming eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in the Sunshine State, Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference at Orlando Health, DeSantis told reporters he does not intend to front-load teachers solely because of their occupation. Instead, he maintained that vaccines should be distributed based on health-related risk factors.
“Not at this time,” DeSantis replied when asked if educators would be the next demographic in line.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, DeSantis has employed a triage-like approach to manage the virus. He has contended, even from the earliest days, that the old and those with underlying health problems are most vulnerable to serious illness or fatality.
The Governor has maintained that approach thus far and prioritized vaccines for health care workers and those 65 and older.
The approach is based on data, DeSantis said Monday, claiming that those 65 and up represent more than 80% of the COVID-related mortality in the country.
“The average person under 65 in our workforce has been in less risk than our senior population of COVID,” DeSantis told reporters. “We’re going where the risk is greatest. We’re going where we can have the most impact.”
While teachers and other frontline workers remain low on the triage list, DeSantis hinted that vaccines may become available to essential workers once the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved.
Pfizer and Moderna currently produce the only approved COVID-19 vaccines that are available to Americans. Both vaccines require strict storage standards and two doses administered weeks apart.
Johnson & Johnson, meanwhile, is expected to receive Food and Drug Administration approval as soon as January or February.
Unlike Moderna and Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson requires only one dose and is more easily stored.
“That is where I think you can get in easier for folks who are in the workforce,” DeSantis told reporters.
Notably, Operation Warp Speed leader Dr. Moncef Slaoui described the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as a possible “game-changer.”
If granted emergency use authorization, it would be the only single-dose vaccine on the market.
5 comments
Sam Silverman
January 4, 2021 at 3:28 pm
Their retirement and health benefits are ample for a nine-month job. This is a very sensible decision. Frankly, Governor, it is the best one that you have made in a while.
Magen Wilson
January 4, 2021 at 3:48 pm
I sincerely hope this is sarcasm because if not, you have shown yourself to be willfully ignorant to what it is like being an educator in Florida.
Sonja Fitch
January 5, 2021 at 2:12 am
Duffus Desantis once again makes sacrifices to his perverted herd immunity bs! Shut down Florida Duffus Desantis til February 15! Duffus Desantis every decision you have made in protecting and serving Floridians against / with the trumpvirus have been FAILURES! UK stay home order because of new strain! Damn Duffus Desantis ! Get f out!
Julie
January 5, 2021 at 8:18 am
Article today about preference to out of state wealthy donors using back door to receive vaccine while teachers are literally risking their lives with in person teaching. Exposure is long. Rooms are small and there are plenty of students. At the high school level most students are adults, it’s frustrating to say the least.
John Jordan
January 5, 2021 at 11:31 am
Many who are in the (non-socially distanced) classrooms, busses, and lunchrooms across Florida are not yet 65, have comorbidity issues of their own (heart disease, diabetes, etc) or risk infecting family members who also have not attained 65 years of age.
Meanwhile, the Florida Legislature plows toward a session in which the legislators themselves have had access to the vaccine, but the public will be largely barred from their Capitol Building.
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