Florida's surgeon general signed a public health advisory order that prioritizes Florida residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Seasonal residents who do not list their primary residence as Florida, or travelers, cannot get the vaccine in Florida. This applies to the first dose of the vaccine.
The policy reversal comes after concerns about medical tourism or "vaccine vacations", which allowed people from other states or countries to travel into Florida strictly to receive a coveted coronavirus vaccination.
"We have had in Florida a relatively liberal roll out with very limited vaccine dosages available but not a lot of controls in terms of who is getting the vaccine," said Steven Ullman, a professor at the University of Miami.
"Dr. Scott Rivkees determined that a public health advisory is necessary to protect the public health and safety," the order states.
Below is the full order:
Florida residents must now show their driver's license to receive the first vaccination shot.
Part-time residents can show proof by providing two documents including a lease agreement, utility bill, mortgage payment or mail from a government agency.
Under the existing advisory, out-of-state health care workers are considered high priority and eligible for the vaccine in Florida.
