WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Demands to connect South Florida's senior population to the COVID-19 vaccine continue to mount and state Democratic state lawmakers are calling on the governor's office for more answers.
"It would be good if they started figuring out a state policy," said State Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach.
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Berman represents Florida's 31st district, including Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Lake Worth.
"There isn't so much of a rollout for people in South [Palm Beach] County unless you live in Kings Point or Century Village, where they've done some what they call pods, where they come in and do it just for the residents of those areas," Berman said.
At this time, appointments through the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, should only be requested via email, however, vaccination appointments are based on a limited dosage availability.
"We don't have enough doses," Berman said.
Efforts are underway to connect low-income communities with the vaccine.
On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference announcing the push to administer vaccines from places of worship.
State Sen. Bobby Powell and his staff are currently working with a church in Riviera Beach which will start distributing vaccines to people over 65 next weekend.
"My office is coordinating, and they're going through black churches because they want to try to get black participants or black parishioners who haven't had the opportunity to sit on the phone for hours or who are not located inside of assisted living facilities," Powell said.
People who are over the age of 65 can request a vaccine appointment by sending an email to chd50feedback@flhealth.gov.
The Florida Department of Health is asking everyone to include their name, phone number and date of birth.