Lake County’s hospitals began receiving vaccines this week to immunize their healthcare workers. Additionally, the Florida Department of Health in Lake County is expecting to receive an initial shipment of immunizations sometime next week. The Florida Department of Health plans to visit the facilities that are not covered by the Walgreens and CVS immunization roll-out so that residents and staff can be immunized as quickly as possible.
In an Executive Order issued Dec. 23, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed that the priority population for this initial phase shall be long-term care facility residents and staff, persons 65 years and older, and health care personnel with direct patient contact.
For the foreseeable future, Lake County will receive an unspecified amount of vaccines to immunize the priority groups as identified by the governor. The Federal government’s goal has been to get vaccines to the general public through commercial providers (pharmacies and physicians) as soon as they become available.
Lake County Office of Emergency Management has worked closely with the Florida Department of Health in Lake County to prepare for the expected immunization doses, including preparing storage infrastructure by purchasing an ultra-cold freezer.
Once more information from the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health is received Lake County will inform the public. To sign up for the latest emergency notifications regarding COVID-19, text COVIDUPDATE to 888777 or visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/COVID-19 and follow the Lake County Office of Emergency Management on social media at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyFLEmergencyManagement and www.twitter.com/lakeemergency.
