NEWS

Important FL DOH Updates Regarding Expanding Populations Eligible to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and Reporting Adverse Events

Nov 8, 2021 | News

Important Updates Regarding Expanding Populations Eligible to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and Reporting Adverse Events

November 5, 2021

Expanding Populations Eligible to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to Include Persons 5 Years Through 11 Years of Age

On October 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to include children 5 years through 11 years of age.

For more information regarding the latest guidelines, please use the links below:

FDA News Release
Fact Sheet for Health Care Providers Administering Vaccine
Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Ordering and Distribution Information

Health care providers may now place orders for Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccines in Florida SHOTS. All enrolled COVID-19 vaccine providers who wish to order Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine may order in 300 dose increments; however, on November 9, 2021 pediatric COVID-19 vaccine may be ordered in 100 dose increments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doses ordered on or before November 9, 2021 are expected to arrive by November 12, 2021.

The Florida Department of Health’s Immunization Section placed pre-book orders for eleven county health departments (CHDs) to serve as regional hubs for vaccine storage and distribution. These CHDs were selected based on location, population size, storage capacity and capability to transfer vaccine to other health care providers. According to the CDC, vaccine shipments are expected to arrive between November 6-12, 2021.

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) Reporting

Health care providers should report the following adverse events to VAERS:

  • Any adverse event that occurs after the administration of a vaccine licensed in the United States, whether it is or is not clear that a vaccine caused the adverse event,
  • Vaccine administration errors,
  • Vaccine manufacturers are required to report to VAERS all adverse events that come to their attention.

Health care providers are required to report the following adverse events to VAERS:

Online reporting is strongly encouraged. Please report clinically important adverse events that occur after vaccination of children and adults, even if you are not sure whether the vaccine caused the adverse event. To make a report, please visit: https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html and notify the state health department of any severe reactions reported.

Pre-book Ordering

Should you choose to obtain vaccines from the pre-book order from the CHDs, please use the following contact information:

Alachua County Health Department: Vicki Ennis, 352-334-8811
Broward County Health Department: Barbara Bateman, 954-847-8007
Clay County Health Department: Robin Thomas, 904-838-5424
Duval County Health Department: Tawanda Washington, 904-253-1055
Escambia County Health Department: Beate Bolton, 850-595-6500 Ext., 1200
Hillsborough County Health Department: Jylmarie Lewis, 813-559-4649
Indian River County Health Department: Maryjo Sullivan, 772-794-7478
Lee County Health Department: Marie George, 239-332-9505
Leon County Health Department: Eugene Buerkle, 850-404-6270
Marion County Health Department: Michael Smith, 352-644-2660
Miami-Dade County Health Department: Jean Toussaint, 305-575-3831
Okaloosa County Health Department: Suzanne Clemons, 850-344-0606
Orange County Health Department: Gissella Suarez, 407-723-4081 or 407-340-1910
Palm Beach County Health Department: Dana Marie Heinlein, 561-671-4052
Pinellas County Health Department: Norma Osgood, 727-820-4105
Polk County Health Department: Tammy Durden, 863-578-2113
Sarasota County Health Department: Donna Keith, 941-861-2914
St. Lucie County Health Department: Daniel Buchin, 772-873-4885
Volusia County Health Department: Patricia Boswell, 386-274-0799

Have a news inquiry or need assistance?

Contact Scott VanDeman, Communications Coordinator at 850-224-3939 ext. 1005.