Updated: How close is Florida to vaccinating everyone who wants a vaccine?
Bottom Line: This week’s dropping of the age of eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines to all residents 50 and older in Florida illustrates the progress we’ve made as we’ve officially entered spring. Along with first responders and teachers of all ages having had access, and the average age of a Floridian being 42.4 years old, you can see everything coming together. Then there’s the question about who wants a vaccine. Governor DeSantis’s most recent update was that 70% of Florida’s seniors over the age of 65 have been administered a vaccine but that demand was lower between the ages of 60-64. While it remains to be seen where the final numbers will settle on COVID vaccinations, there’s been consistent surveying suggesting 68% to 70% of us want a vaccine. Using Sunday’s report from the Florida Department of Health, here’s where we stand in vaccinating Floridians who want a vaccine:
- Estimated total of Floridians who want a vaccine: 15.26 million
- Total vaccinated with at least a first dose: 4.91 million
- Total fully vaccinated: 2.71 million
Put it all together and Florida entered this week with nearly a third of those who likely will choose to get vaccinated having already at least starting the process with 18% having completed it. Obviously, there’s still a long way to go but we’re reaching meaningful milestones with nearly a fifth of Floridians having completed the process and a third having at least started it. Last week 554,725 first doses were administered in Florida – making it our best week yet. If we just maintain the pace going forward every Floridian who wants a vaccine would have access to one within the next 19 weeks or around the last week in July.
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