Ever since COVID-19 vaccines first became available, Publix has played a key role in tackling the public health emergency. in Florida, offering vaccines to adults and later to children as young as 5 years old.
But the Lakeland grocery company says it will not offer the vaccine approved for children ages 4 and under “currently.”
Spokeswoman Hannah Herring said on Tuesday that Publix would not issue a statement explaining its decision. The company’s website shows that it still accepts COVID-19 vaccine appointments for children aged 5 and over.
The company still offers other vaccines for children, including a flu vaccine for babies up to 6 months old.
Related: “I’ve been waiting so long”: COVID vaccines reach Florida’s youngest
Implementing vaccines for the nation’s youngest children was complicated in Florida, where state leaders questioned the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, contrary to the recommendations of top national health regulators and medical associations.
Florida’s chief surgeon, Joseph Ladapo, has advised against vaccinating healthy children, contrary to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida was the only state in the nation not to pre-order doses of the vaccine under the age of five, which the White House said could delay the delivery of medical providers to the state. Parents of children under 18 should rely on pediatricians, medical clinics and children’s hospitals to vaccinate their children.
Publix is not affected because it is included in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which means that it orders doses of the vaccine directly from the federal government.
Related: Questions about COVID vaccines for babies and young children? Here are the answers.
The governor used Publix to become a key part of the vaccine launch in Florida in early 2021. Until April, the food chain was the largest supplier of vaccines in Florida, receiving nearly a quarter of the state’s doses.
The company is Florida’s largest private employer and a regular donor to the political campaigns of the two major political parties, although its donations distort Republican ones. She donated $ 100,000 to Governor Ron DeSantis’ political committee in early 2021.
Publix’s decision not to vaccinate young children puts it at odds with Walmart, one of its main competitors in the Southeast. Walmart plans to provide vaccines to children aged 3 and over.
“Although we expect most of these vaccines to be distributed to pediatric providers, we plan to administer authorized vaccines aged 3-5 years, as supply and distribution allow,” Walmart spokesman Tyler Thomason said in an email.
Related: Florida babies and young children face delayed COVID vaccine, White House says
The mother of two in South Tampa, Samantha Thompson, managed to make an appointment for her 3-year-old son to be vaccinated at the local Publix on Tuesday. She then received a phone call informing her that the place she had chosen was not allowed to vaccinate children under the age of five.
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Now she will have to cross the bay next week to vaccinate her son at Walgreens in Seminole, which she says is the closest meeting she can find.
“It’s frustrating because there’s so much confusion,” Thompson said. “During this whole process, there is a feeling that our interests are not being watched.”
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How to test
Florida: The Ministry of Health has a list of test sites.
The nation: The US Department of Health and Human Services can help you find a place to test.
• • •
How to get vaccinated
The COVID-19 vaccine is given in clinics, doctors’ offices, public health services and pharmacies. Here’s how to find a site near you:
Find a site: Visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination sites in your zip code.
More help: Call the National COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline.
phone: 800-232-0233. Help is available in English, Spanish and other languages.
TTY: 888-720-7489.
Information for people with disabilities and access line: Call 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@n4a.org.
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SYMPTOMS: Do you think that you have a COVID-19? Here is a guide to symptoms and treatment.
CHILDREN: Babies and young children can now be vaccinated. Here are the answers to your questions.
ATTENTION: How the CDC’s COVID-19 warning system fails in Tampa Bay and Florida.
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