FLORIDA — As the anticipation for a COVID-19 vaccine is growing for many, the reality is only a select few will get it in Florida, at least at first.

What You Need To Know

  • Any COVID-19 vaccine in Florida would first go to frontl ine workers and those in elderly care facilities

  • Teachers in the state hope they will get the vaccine sooner rather than later

  • Vaccines in schools would help allay the fears of staff and students, one teacher said

Gov. Ron DeSantis has said vaccines will go to front line workers and those in elderly care facilities.

As students look forward to their upcoming winter break, Lake Howell High English teacher Bobby Agagnina fears the end of it.

“Absolutely I am going to be concerned," Agagnina said. "Coming back for the spring semester without a vaccine is something I think about.”

A big reason is because the highest number of total cases in Seminole County has come from the 15-24 year age group.

“I have personally been quarantined twice," Agagnina said. "Due to our contact tracing policy, it has kept me safe and I have not had COVID.” 

Unfortunately the news for teachers and a vaccine isn’t getting better, according to Dr. Anthony Harris.

“It looks like teachers are still going to be amongst the general population,” Harris said.

Harris is the Associate Medical Director for WorkCare, which is a physician-directed occupational health company. He says depending what part of the country it is, teachers should get consideration for a vaccine sooner rather than later.

“If the risk is there and it is born out, and the evidence is there with a transmission standpoint, then yes, they should get a separate designation and prioritize,” Harris said. 

Seminole County schools still require teachers and students to wear masks. Agagnina hopes a vaccine will soon follow.

“Having a vaccine will feel safer being on campus," Agagnina said. "Then hopefully it will make sure our students feel safe as well.”

As for who should get the next batch of vaccines and when, it is debatable. 

“We should follow a risk base distribution," Harris said. "Then we can call this stem of spikes we are seeing across the nation as quickly as possible.”

Until then, for teachers and the general population its most likely waiting until the summer break.

Harris also believes that February is when the FDA should have a good read on how the vaccine is doing with those who have received it. Depending on data and observations that will help determine if mass amounts of people can receive the vaccine in May, June, or July.