COVID CORNER

This information is sponsored by Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center 2020 COVID-19: Addressing Social Isolation Quality of Life Grant

Last updated 03/08/2021 5:00pm

What phase are we in now? Who is eligible? Find a Vaccine Location in Your Area

What are the transportation options? Should any medications be taken before or after the vaccine?

What precautions should anyone who is extremely vulnerable to COVID vaccine continue doing?

FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS

How should people schedule a vaccine appointment? What forms are needed?

What needs to be brought to the appointment?

What phase are we in now? Who is eligible?

The Federal government has outlined the 3 phases of vaccine distribution. Currently Phase 1 is completely outlined. The information given here is directly from the CDC website.

Phase 1a

Healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities should be offered the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Phase 1b

Frontline essential workers such as fire fighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agriculture workers, United States Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector (teachers, support staff, and daycare workers).
People aged 75 years and older because they are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19.

Phase 1c

People aged 65—74 years because they are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19. People aged 65—74 years who are also residents of long-term care facilities should be offered vaccination in Phase 1a.
People aged 16—64 years with underlying medical conditions which increase the risk of serious, life-threatening complications from COVID-19.
Other essential workers, such as people who work in transportation and logistics, food service, housing construction and finance, information technology, communications, energy, law, media, public safety, and public health.

CDC Vaccine Recommendations State of Florida COVID-19 Information

Although the Federal government has their own outline, the states have had the ability to choose who they want to prioritize for vaccine rollout. Visit the State of Florida’s COVID-19 Response site for up to date information for the State.

The CDC has an outline of certain medical conditions that are known to be vulnerable to Covid-19. Spinal Cord Injuries are not directly listed, however the CDC does state that the list is not comprehensive. There are many rare conditions that may be vulnerable but are not shown. Somebody with a spinal cord injury could be deemed extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 for multiple reasons that could or could not be directly related to their injury. Ultimately, it is up to a physician to determine somebody’s eligibility to receive the Covid-19 vaccine on the basis that they are extremely vulnerable. Anyone who believes they could possibly be at high risk should reach out to their physician and continue following the CDC guidelines of wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.

The CDC website explains the current guidelines to stay safe during the pandemic for people with medical conditions.

National retail sites with COVID-19 vaccine distribution

CVS Walgreens WalMart Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Mas

What are the transportation options?

Currently there are no transportation services being offered to any covid vaccination sites for any members of the community. Individuals must provide their own form of transportation.

In the future, Walgreens and Uber will be creating a partnership to help individuals in under-served communities have free transportation to Walgreens stores in order to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. The pilot program will begin in Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and El Paso. Walgreens will start to play a role in vaccine rollout in Florida, but the exact timeline is unknown. It is still unknown if and when the Uber and Walgreens partnership will be available to residents in Miami.

Should any medications be taken before or after the vaccine?

According to the CDC, you should not pre-medicate with pain relievers leading up to your vaccine. There is not enough research as to how this can affect the vaccine. You should only take pain relievers if necessary after receiving your vaccine. If you regularly take pain medications, continue doing so or speak to your doctor. If you are on any other prescription or immunosuppressive medications, you should speak to your physician about what you should before and after receiving the covid vaccine.

What to Expect at Your Appointment to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19

What precautions should I take?

Regardless of vaccine status, individuals should continue following the CDC guidelines to Covid-19 which include:

Social distancing
Wearing masks
Wash hands often
Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items
Avoiding large gatherings

For people with certain medical conditions For people with disabilities

Guidelines for vaccinating older adults and people with disabilities

FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS

If seeking a vaccine under the basis of being deemed extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 in the State of Florida, the COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability form must be filled out by a physician. The form must be presented at your Covid vaccine appointment or else there is a possibility of being turned away.

COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability Form

How should people schedule a vaccine appointment?

There are multiple locations in Florida that are distributing vaccines. Each location has different requirements for receiving a vaccine. For your convenience, the following are locations in Miami Dade county that are administering vaccines, along with who qualifies. Please note date updated at top of page.

Florida Vaccine Locator

State and Miami-Dade County Run Locations
The State and Miami-Dade County-run vaccination sites are NOT giving to individuals under 65 years of age deemed extremely vulnerable by a physician.
Individuals who are in these prioritized populations should be prepared to show proof of employment, such as a badge, when they arrive at the site to receive their vaccine.

To get an appointment you must first pre-register online at MyVaccine.FL.gov or by calling 1-888-499-0840 (TTY#: 1-888-256-8918). You will be contacted by email or phone when first dose appointments become available.

Florida Resident Pre-Registration

Second dose appointments are scheduled on site immediately after individuals receive their first dose. Please visit MyVaccine.FL.gov or call the COVID-19 State Information line at 833-540-2065 for additional information.

State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees issued a Public Health Advisory on January 21 prioritizing vaccines for residents of the State of Florida or individuals in Florida for the purpose of providing health care services involving direct contact with patients.

To prove residency an adult resident must provide a copy of his or her valid Florida driver license or a copy of a valid Florida identification card.

Seasonal residents may provide a copy of two of the following the show proof of residential address:

A deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental or lease agreement.
One proof of residential address from the season resident’s parent, step-parent or legal guardian or other person with whom the seasonal resident resides and a statement from the person with whom the seasonal resident resides stating that the seasonal resident does reside with him or her.
A utility hookup or work order dated within 60 days before registration.
A utility bill, not more than 2 months old.
Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings, or investment account statements, not more than 2 months old.
Mail from a federal, state, county, or municipal government agency, not more than 2 months old.

Florida Resident Vaccine Locations in Miami-Dade County

Location and Hours	Who is Eligible	Forms/Prescription Requirements	Contact Information	How to Make an Appointment
Hard Rock Stadium
Tropical Park
Zoo Miami
Oak Grove Park – Father Gerard Jean-Juste Community Center
Overtown Youth Center
Miami Dade College – North Campus (Walk-Up) 11380 NW 27th Ave \| Miami, FL 33167 7:00am – 7:00pm \| 7 days a week	Persons under 65 years of age, deemed medically vulnerable by a physician	Form Required Bring form with you to appointment Bring proof of Florida residency	MyVaccine.FL.gov 1-888-499-0840 TTY#: 1-888-256-8918	Eligible individuals may arrive without an appointment You can also preregister on their website or call. You will be then contacted by email or phone when first dose appointments are available
Jackson Health System Various locations. See their website for details.	Anyone age 50 and older with a signed doctor’s note Jackson Memorial Sample Note	Sample note from doctor along with proof of Florida residency	JacksonHealth.org/Keeping-You-Safe	Eligible individuals must make their appointment online. There are no appointments made by phone.
Baptist Health System Various locations. See their website for details.	Persons under 65 years of age with high-risk medical conditions. They will reach out to you.	They will reach out to you with details. Bring proof of Florida residency	BaptistHealth.net/coronavirus/vaccine	Eligible individuals must be a patient in the Baptist Health System. Additionally, their physician must deem them vulnerable, at which point Baptist Hospital will reach out.

SECOND DOSE: All sites will make your second dose appointment on site immediately after individuals receive their first dose. If not, they will let you know at a later date when to come in for your second dose, which is 3 weeks later for the Pfizer vaccine and a 4 weeks later for the Moderna Vaccine. To be sure, if the provider of your first vaccine dose does not make an appointment on site please ask them what vaccine you are taking (Moderna or Pfizer) and be sure that you get your second dose.

What forms are needed?

If seeking a vaccine under the basis of being deemed extremely vulnerable to Covid-19, the COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability form must be filled out by a physician. The form must be presented at your Covid vaccine appointment or else there is a possibility of being turned away.

To receive a vaccine at Jackson Health System, under the age of 65, you will need a letter from a physician with a letterhead.

What needs to be brought to the appointment?

To prove residency an adult resident must provide a copy of his or her valid Florida driver license or a copy of a valid Florida identification card.
Seasonal residents may provide a copy of two of the following the show proof of residential address
- A deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental or lease agreement.
- One proof of residential address from the season resident’s parent, step-parent or legal guardian or other person with whom the seasonal resident resides and a statement from the person with whom the seasonal resident resides stating that the seasonal resident does reside with him or her.
- A utility hookup or work order dated within 60 days before registration.
- A utility bill, not more than 2 months old.
- Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings, or investment account statements, not more than 2 months old.
- Mail from a federal, state, county, or municipal government agency, not more than 2 months old.
Sworn law-enforcement officers age 50 and older, must show a badge or department ID
Firefighters age 50 or older, must show a badge or department ID
School-site personnel age 50 and older working at a K-12 school, must show ID badge
If seeking a vaccine under the basis of being deemed extremely vulnerable to Covid-19, the following form must be filled out by a physician. The form must be presented at your Covid vaccine appointment or else there is a possibility of being turned away.
Healthcare workers must bring Florida healthcare license, healthcare workplace ID, or proof direct patient contact.