Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner highlighted the success of their partnership to put Seniors First in Palm Beach County for vaccine distribution.

As of February 5^th, over 146,000 seniors 65 and older in Palm Beach County alone have been vaccinated, which represents over 40 percent of all seniors in Palm Beach County. Statewide, Florida continues to far outpace the rest of the nation in vaccinations of seniors with over 1.3 million seniors 65 and older vaccinated, which accounts for 31 percent (or nearly one-third) of all seniors in the state.

“Florida continues to lead the nation in vaccinations of seniors, and in counties like Palm Beach, we have made great progress by working with Mayor Kerner to vaccinate over 40 percent of their senior population,” said Governor DeSantis. “Among larger counties, Palm Beach is leading for doses administered to senior citizens and has the highest percentage. The state’s partnership with Publix has been particularly successful in Palm Beach County, where nearly all seniors live within two miles of a Publix pharmacy. We have a thriving community of seniors in Palm Beach County and this progress means that they can have a great quality of life and help keep our economy and society functioning. Keep up the great work!”

“I am very thankful to Governor DeSantis and his administration for everything they are doing to ensure our senior citizens are prioritized to receive the vaccine,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner. “Publix, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Division of Emergency Management have been great partners and we are very encouraged by these fantastic results.”

There are over 300 vaccination sites available across the state of Florida, including retail partner Publix, community vaccination sites and partnerships with places of worship. In Palm Beach County alone there are 67 Publix Pharmacy locations offering vaccines. Additionally, the state of Florida worked with the faith based community to open six vaccination clinics this week in Palm Beach County. Governor DeSantis also joined Anquan Boldin and Florida Lottery Secretary John Davis to open a vaccine site in Pahokee to provide vaccinations for the community.

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