In Delray, DeSantis stresses vaccinating elderly first amid concerns about vaccine rollout

DELRAY BEACH — Gov. Ron DeSantis insisted this morning that Florida's top priority for COVID-19 vaccinations should be its vulnerable older residents.

"The priority now has got to be with out elderly population, our grandparents and our parents," he said during an appearance at the King's Point complex in Delray Beach. Residents at the South County community received the coronavirus vaccine after the governor spoke.

The governor's appearance came as concerns grow across the country, and Florida, about a much slower than expected rollout of the long-awaited vaccine.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that Operation Warp Speed is far from reaching its goal of inoculating 20 million Americans by the end of Thursday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under 11.5 million doses have been distributed as of the start of this week.

On Wednesday morning, an hour before DeSantis spoke, President Trump put the onus for vaccine distribution squarely on the shoulders of states and governors.

"The Federal Government has distributed the vaccines to the states. Now it is up to the states to administer. Get moving!" the governor tweeted.

The governor acknowledged there is a "limited supply" of coronavirus shots right now, but said millions more doses are on the way and the first wave of inoculations has gone smoothly with a diverse array of players, including hospitals.

He said that tens of millions of doses will arrive early in 2021 and then younger Floridians will be able to be vaccinated — after older residents and first responders.

"Despite the temporary limited supply, seniors will be our focus," DeSantis added.

The governor also said he would be willing to be vaccinated but would wait his turn, along with others under the age of 45.

"I am willing to take it, but I am not the priority," DeSantis said. He concluded: "At the end of the day, let's focus where the risk is."

The Federal Government has distributed the vaccines to the states. Now it is up to the states to administer. Get moving!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2020

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: In Delray, DeSantis stresses vaccinating elderly first amid concerns about vaccine rollout

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