Older individuals cannot get a COVID-19 vaccine – WSVN 7News | St John Information, Climate, Sports activities

By Last updated Jan 12, 2021

(WSVN) – As the vaccine rollout continues to move slowly, many older South Florids say they have been forgotten, but do they have a legal right to the COVID vaccine? You asked this question to help me Howard with Patrick Fraser.

If you spend five minutes with 95 year old Georgia Rogers, her personality will make you smile. When she talks about her 29 family members, she will shine.

Georgia Rogers: “Five children, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and three more on the way. I am proud. I am proud of my family. “

A big family that has always gathered to celebrate every birthday and holiday … until you know what.

Georgia Rogers: “We tried this for my 95th but unfortunately this virus stopped everything.”

Since the coronavirus outbreak, the family has been careful to protect Georgia from COVID. No parties, just Zoom gatherings.

That bothered her.

Georgia Rogers: “My blood pressure was sky high because I was so upset we couldn’t all get together.”

When the vaccine was released, Georgia was excited.

Georgia Rogers: “I would love to live a lot longer than I do now, and the vaccine should help me.”

Her son and other family members tried to get the vaccine for her.

Georgia Rogers: “On the computer that crashes, on the phone that you can’t stand. It is impossible.”

If you go to the Florida Department of Health online you can see: All appointments in Dade and Broward are booked.

Georgia Rogers: “First of all, the big problem is that they say, ‘Make a reservation. ‘How at Sam Hill are you going to make a reservation? “

Georgia says it’s also clear that with the long wait for an appointment and the long wait in line when you get it, the state has no plan for older people like her.

Georgia Rogers: “We can’t stand in line for hours, even with a hiker. How can you be online for four or five hours? “

Georgia says older people who are independent and live alone need the state to schedule an appointment or vaccinate them at home because they have already done so for others.

Georgia Rogers: “They took care of the assisted living people, but they seem to have forgotten about us. We live alone. What should we do?”

The weakest like Georgia feel forgotten and frustrated while waiting for the state of Florida to help them.

Georgia Rogers: “It has to be easier for us to get it where it’s not so stressful.”

Well, legally, when you are older does the state have to give you a scheduled appointment or come to your home to give you a chance? Howard?

Howard Finkelstein, Legal Expert at 7News: “Just because you’re older doesn’t give you a legal right to special accommodation. However, if your immune system is weakened, if you have a lack of mobility or a disability, the government must try to get you the vaccine. That means, in Georgia’s case, they have to make a fixed appointment or come to her home. “

We then got in touch with well-known disability rights attorney Matthew Dietz to guide us.

Matthew W. Dietz, Esq., Disability Independence Group: “When we brought this up to Broward, they said, ‘You know, we really need to look at this. ‘“

Matthew says it is the responsibility of the state, county, and hospitals to take in people like Georgia, and he says in their case it would be easy for Broward to do because St John-Dade already has a plan for people like her Has.

Matthew W. Dietz: “Then someone would say, ‘Well, Georgia, you can do xyz in this facility and we will make time for you.’ For them it’s simple, simple accommodation. “

But Broward still hasn’t found a way for people like Georgia to get their vaccine, despite St John-Dade and St John Beach going home to shoot the elderly.

Leaving Georgia just to imagine what it would mean for her to get a shot.

Georgia Rogers: “The most important thing I will do is kiss and hug my children. I miss that. “

Ten months without a hug. Do you ever meet someone and say “wow”? This is Georgia, a wonderful woman.

As for the vaccine, it is a matter of life and death that they quickly pass it on to the most vulnerable elderly.

Someone who needles you? You wanna take a shot with us We always have time to schedule an appointment to give you the dose of support you need.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: [email protected]
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at [email protected]
St John-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN