March 2021 Broadcast
The state of Florida has expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to now include individuals deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19, as determined by a clinician. While most vaccination sites currently require appointments, FEMA sites are accepting walk-up opportunities. Patients should review our Patient Advisory page on what qualifies a patient as part of a “vulnerable population” before contacting our office. Patients with extreme vulnerability are required to produce a letter from their clinician in order to receive the vaccine.
Southwest Orlando Family Medicine is taking proactive effort to identify and generate letters for our at-risk patients. Extreme vulnerability letters will be issued to qualifying patients through the Patient Portal. Patients without an active portal will receive their letter via secure email. Please be patient as we work diligently over the next few weeks to verify and issue vulnerability letters to our at-risk patients. During this time, you can visit the following link to pre-register with the state of Florida.
Please do not call our office for your letter unless you have not already received a letter and have secured a vaccination date earlier than March 21st. Patients will be notified in the Patient Portal when their letter is available. Patients without access to Patient Portal will receive a text notification or phone call when their letter is available. We ask patients to send requests through Patient Portal in order to keep our phone lines available for appointment scheduling, coordinating, and urgent patient needs.
Overall vaccine eligibility has expanded and includes the following groups:
- Individuals 65 years and older
- Long-term care facility residents and staff
- Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact
- Individuals deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19
- K-12 school employees
- Sworn law enforcement officers and firefighters 50 years and older
Southwest Orlando Family Medicine endorses all eligible patients receive any COVID-19 vaccine version currently available. Learn more about the vaccine by visiting our COVID-19 Vaccine Blog and COVID-19 FAQ Blog. We continue to work towards securing vaccines and will continue to update our patients here and on our Patient Advisory page.
Thank you for entrusting us with keeping you and your loved ones healthy and safe.
Additional Patient Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine Blog: Learn about vaccine safety, eligibility, benefits and more.
COVID-19 FAQ Blog: We answer your common questions about the virus and vaccines.
Do Masks Really Work: Our comprehensive resource guide on mask use.
Your Visit Page: Make the most of your appointment with our guides for new and established patients.
TeleHealth Page: Review step-by-step tutorials on how virtual visits work, how to book your appointment, how to participate in a virtual visit, and FAQs.
Self-Pay Membership Page: Are you or a loved one in need of healthcare and currently uninsured? Learn about affordable and easy access to quality healthcare for patients without insurance.