nursing homes

Atria, a Kentucky-based operator with 10 facilities in Florida, wants its 10,000 employees nationwide to receive the shots.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is touting his plan to distribute vaccines to people 65 and older ahead of much of the country. But the rollout has had logistical problems.

Coronavirus vaccines are reaching more long-term facilities around the country, but many worry they won't come soon enough to stave off more deaths.

State data show that the vast majority of the deaths involve residents of nursing homes and ALFs, with one facility in Miami-Dade accounting for 70 resident deaths and another for 56.

The rise in deaths has advocates worried about Christmas gatherings and other yearend celebrations.

The plan is for the pharmacy to eventually visit 35,000 facilities and vaccinate 3 million residents. CVS and other companies are also part of the partnership to deliver shots at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Long-term care residents’ participation in the vaccination effort is clouded by a significant complication: More than half have cognitive impairment or dementia.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also directed 21,450 doses be sent to the Florida Department of Health to help at long-term care facilities.

Pinellas will receive about 10,700 doses, which will be distributed by paramedics and nurses, with the National Guard helping with logistics.

Facilities in Pinellas and Broward counties will be the first to administer the Pfizer vaccine to its residents and health care personnel.