Orlando VA begins administering COVID-19 vaccinations to veterans
US Army Sgt. Major (ret.) William King, Jr. becomes the 3rd Orlando VA Healthcare System Veteran to receive the Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine Dec. 14. Sergeant King served as a combat medic during his 38-year Army career. He is a resident of the Orlando VA
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando VA Medical Center says that they have started administering COVID-19 vaccinations to veterans residing in its long-term care community living center.
They said that starting Wednesday, they will start providing the vaccine to frontline health care employees as well.
The Orlando VA Medical Center is said to be part of the initial group of 37 VA medical centers across the country that has already or will soon receive and administer Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine this week. The sites were picked because of their ability to vaccinate large numbers of people and store the vaccines at extremely cold temperatures.
MORE NEWS: AdventHealth expects 1st shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines
“The Orlando VA Healthcare System is proud to be a part of the initial 37 VA medical centers receiving the vaccine,” said Timothy J. Cooke, Medical Center Director/CEO.
“Ultimately, the department’s goal is to offer the vaccine to all Veterans receiving care at VA,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “As increased vaccine supply is obtained, VA plans to distribute these vaccines at additional facilities to provide the vaccine to more Veterans and employees.”
US Army Sgt. Major (ret.) Daniel Davis becomes the 5th Orlando VA Healthcare System Veteran to receive the Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine Dec. 14. Sergeant Davis served as a medic and drill instructor during his 23-year Army career. He is a resident of the
MORE NEWS: FDA says preliminary analysis confirms effectiveness, safety of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is said to be 95 percent effective in preventing the virus. It is administered in a series of two doses, 21 days apart. The side effects are reportedly short-lived and similar to those of other vaccines.
As more vaccines become available, the VA said they will distribute them at more facilities to both veterans and employees. Florida should get more than twice as many more vaccines -- between 300,000 and 500,000 vaccines -- next week, officials said.
This could especially be true as Moderna may receive emergency use authorization from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) this week. An advisory panel will review their vaccine, which is said to be as effective as Pfizer's, on Thursday.
Florida is giving vaccine priority to long-term care facilities, then healthcare workers, followed by the 65 and up community who have pre-existing medical conditions.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest coronavirus news.