FL Waits For FDA Approval Of Coronavirus Vaccine As Cases Climb

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — As federal officials recommended approving the first vaccine for the coronavirus, cases in Florida on Thursday reached 1,094,697, according to the Florida Department of Health. That's an 11,335 increase from Wednesday's reported positive case numbers.

As of Thursday, statewide coronavirus hospitalizations total 57,468; Florida resident-deaths are 19,591; and non-resident deaths are 260, as reported by the FDOH.

Pinellas County has 36,426 positive cases, according to the FDOH. Hillsborough has 63,339 cases; Polk has 30,365 cases; Pasco has 16,988 cases; Sarasota has 15,342 cases; Manatee has 18,351 cases; and Dade has 251,283 cases.

As cases continue to climb in Florida, city leaders such as St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman are encouraging increased mask wearing through safe campaigns. A group of Florida mayors urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to issue a statewide mask mandate, which he rejected on Nov. 19.

The governor said coronavirus vaccines could soon be coming to the Sunshine State. "The State of Florida is prepared to work with the federal government to distribute vaccines to Florida hospitals in the upcoming weeks, as well as new therapeutic treatments for those most vulnerable," DeSantis said in a statement.

A panel with the Food and Drug Administration met on Thursday for several hours to discuss approval for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. The committee voted 17-4 in favor of approval after several hours of discussion, according to multiple reports. There was one abstention.

The vaccine still needs to be approved by the full FDA before it can be distributed to any Americans. The FDA is expected to act soon, possibly within hours, to grant full approval, according to The Washington Post.

Kriseman launched the city's Race to Safe campaign on Tuesday to encourage residents to follow safety precautions and businesses to keep firm about making sure everyone is wearing a mask while inside establishments. His goal is to make the city of St. Petersburg the safest coronavirus community in the state.

"St. Pete's Race to Safe campaign is our last and best chance at having our economy coexist with the virus and to avoid future restrictions," Kriseman tweeted. "As cases rises, so must our vigilance in order to bring our numbers back down. Let's do right. Masks on. Spread out. Be smart. Get tested."

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is encouraging residents to stay healthy by wearing masks and enrolling in healthcare coverage.

"Today is #GetCoveredAmericaDay - a day we are encouraged to stay healthy by wearing a mask & get insured with health coverage," Castor tweeted. "Access to affordable health care for all Americans is critically important, now more than ever."

DeSantis issued an order Sept. 25 that lifted most restrictions on businesses and suspended fines for people who didn’t obey, the Tampa Bay Times reported. While stores and restaurants have often implemented their own mask and social distancing rules, Floridians continue to gather in bars and other venues.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said in a tweet, "We are going to have more than just the Pfizer vaccine. And it was smart to not put all our eggs in one companies basket, it protects us from the risk one of the vaccines failed or faced production problems."

When vaccines are allowed to be received by the public, CVS's CEO stated at a White House summit on Tuesday that you will be able to make an appointment online. Two doses are required, Pfizer officials said.

The immunization shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes, according to Pfizer.

CVS said it estimates that it can deliver 25 million vaccinations per week, reported Tompkins. It does not anticipate lines for people waiting to get shots because people will have appointments and, if they miss their appointment, they will get a call to make a new one.

CVS said it will send text messages, phone calls or emails to people to remind them of their appointments.

Walgreens has similar plans. Both chains already deliver millions of vaccines every year for the seasonal flu and shingles.