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Florida COVID-19 Vaccination Update – December 7th, 2021
Bottom Line: It’s been about a month since my last temperature check regarding Florida’s COVID-19 vaccination rates. Back then immunizations for children between the ages of 5-11 had just begun and omicron wasn’t yet a thing. Also, Florida had yet conducted the special session providing options for the unvaccinated in the workforce. A lot’s changed but one very important thing hasn’t. A month ago, Florida had the fewest COVID-19 cases in the country and that remains the case today. It’s an encouraging trend which has led to Florida being as well positioned for whatever omicron will bring to our state as any. On the back of the rise of omicron in the US last week we saw an increased demand for vaccinations as well. This included the largest number of first doses being obtained since September with a surge in demand for boosters as now nearly 3 million Floridians have receivedone. Last week over 308,000 Floridians obtained a booster compared to about 89k receiving a second dose and 101k who obtained a first dose.
COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to trend above the national average in Florida. Florida’s overall vaccination rate stands at 69% with at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with 72.4% of Florida’s vaccine eligible population over the age of 5. Florida currently ranks 18th in vaccination rate.
Here’s an updated look at completed vaccination rates by age (with changes compared to November 5th).
- 5-11: 9%
- 12-19: 57% (+1)
- 20-29: 58% (+3)
- 30-39: 67% (+2)
- 40-49: 73% (+2)
- 50-59: 78% (+2)
- 60-64: 85% (+2)
- 65+: 89%
Unsurprisingly vax rates are lowest youngest, with Florida’s parents remaining super skeptical over the prospect of have their young children immunized against COVID-19. Also, notably, approximately 13% of Florida’s workforce remains unvaccinated. With the federal court having stayed the OSHA rules from taking effect, and with Florida’s new laws providing protections and options for those who don’t want a COVID-19 vaccine, there doesn’t appear to be any specific sense of urgency among the unvaccinated in Florida’s workforce to obtain one. To be continued.