vaccine

As of Tuesday night, only 12.% of COVID-19 vaccinations in Florida had been administered to people 65 and older, according to state data.

The Florida Education Association is urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to prioritize teacher vaccinations as more students return to in-person learning in January.

The global search for COVID-19 vaccines has included South Florida as drug companies use clinical research firms to find, manage, and follow local volunteers.

As the first round of vaccines for the coronavirus are delivered, officials in cities and counties around the state are preparing for what will be a massive effort to vaccinate the general population.

A CDC panel recommends essential workers as well as people 75 and older come after front-line health workers and nursing homes, but the governor says that is not binding.

Each state and county is left to juggle where to send vaccines first and how to get them to each nursing home, hospital, health department and even school.

With vaccines making their way throughout the state for distribution, the county Health Department says anyone eligible for the first round will have access as they become available - including snowbirds.

CEO Ugur Sahin said more study was needed, but because the proteins on the variant are 99% the same as the prevailing strains, BioNTech has “scientific confidence” in the vaccine.

The governor will announce a plan Tuesday for the second phase of vaccine distribution that will put seniors next in line to get shots, over first responders and general health care workers.

On the "Florida Roundup," host Melissa Ross spoke with Dr. Jason Wilson, associate director of Tampa General Hospital’s emergency department about his experience with the Pfizer vaccine.