Florida Enforces Residency Verification for COVID-19 Vaccination

The practice of “vaccine tourism” will not be permitted in Florida, following reports that travelers were heading there as the state has made the COVID-19 vaccine available to people aged 65 and older.

While some of those making the trip own second homes in the state, others were alleged to be travelers making short-term visits. This situation was supported by news reports featuring stories of individuals claiming to have received the vaccination while vacationing in the Sunshine State. Consequently, Florida will now require anyone seeking a COVID-19 vaccine in the state to verify their residency status. Its state surgeon general, Dr. Scott Rivkees, issued a public health advisory requiring all vaccine distributors to confirm the residency of those receiving the vaccine.

Prior to the ruling, Toronto-based private airline, Momentum Jets, reported that wealthy Canadians were willing to pay between $25,000 (€20,560) to $80,000 (€65,792) for same-day, round-trip flights to Florida to receive their first dose of the vaccine or to set an appointment for one. However, Florida governor Ron DeSantis stated during a press conference that the state continues to prioritize seniors for the vaccine and is not making the vaccination available to visitors who do not own a home there.

Moreover, the governor clarified that so-called “snowbirds,” or dual-state residents who spend winters in Florida, are permitted to get vaccinated. He indicated, “Some of these nursing home people may live here six months of the year so that’s a little bit different. We have people all over the country, because we put seniors first and because people actually see shots going in arms, you have literally people all over the world and all over the country calling here to see. We’re not doing that, we’re not doing it for tourists, we’re not doing it for interlopers.”