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Florida is way behind on getting booster shots to nursing home residents

Nursing home data shows the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccine boosters. Chart: CDC
Nursing home data shows the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccine boosters. Chart: CDC

Florida nursing homes rank third from the bottom when it comes to the percentage of residents who've gotten Covid-19 vaccine booster shots.

The CDC reports that 81 percent of nursing home residents in Florida are fully vaccinated but only 39 percent have gotten the booster or third dose.

Among U.S. states, only Arizona and Nevada are worse.

"[I]t’s clear that our state has more work to do to ensure that nursing home residents and staff have access to booster shots," said Jeff Johnson, the AARP Florida state director.

Early studies show that, though current vaccines are less effective against the highly transmissible Omicron variant, THAT THIRD SHOT dramatically improves your protection.

 

Joe Byrnes came to WMFE/WMFV from the Ocala Star-Banner and The Gainesville Sun, where he worked as a reporter and editor for several years. Joe graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and turned to journalism after teaching. He enjoys freshwater fishing and family gatherings.