More people will be eligible for vaccines soon, Florida Governor says

More people will be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine next month.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Thursday the state will likely lower the age restrictions in March.

DeSantis said he wants seniors 65 and older who want a vaccine to get the vaccine first, but he said he plans to lower the age to 60 by sometime next month. This comes after DeSantis’ earlier announcement teachers and law enforcement officers would be able to get vaccinated at federal sites.

Meanwhile, dozens of seniors in Lee County received their first dose after the weather-delayed vaccine shipments for a week.

For some, it was a sense of relief they felt after getting vaccinated.

“Almost like getting a hole in one in golf,” Pat McGovern said.

The numbers show nearly half of Florida’s 4.5 million seniors have received at least the first dose of the vaccine.

“Without question, barring any problems with the vaccine distribution you’re going to see the age lower sometime in March for sure,” DeSantis said.

The expansion is aided by the possibility of the Food and Drug Administration approving the Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine as early as next week.

“As we get into April this thing is not going to be very difficult for people to get,” DeSantis said. “I think the supply is going to be very robust.”

McGovern said he hopes others will also get the vaccine too.

“I had two friends die of COVID you know that’s hard when it hits close to home so get vaccinated,” McGovern said.