Information for Health Care Providers
Enrollments Required for Health Care Providers to Administer the Vaccine
In order to provide vaccines in Florida, all providers must agree to and sign the Florida SHOTS enrollment form.
In addition, all COVID-19 Providers in Florida must complete a COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement. Please find information about the agreement here.
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Health Care Professionals Eligible to Administer the Vaccine
The list below contains health care professions whose governing practice act or federal guidance authorizes the administration of vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. If you have specific questions regarding a profession, please contact the respective regulatory board office at MedicalQualityAssurance@flhealth.gov.
| Profession | Authority |
|---|---|
| Medical Doctors | Section 458.305(3), Florida Statutes |
| Osteopathic Physicians | Section 459.003(3), Florida Statutes |
| Physician Assistants | Section 459.022(4)(e), Florida Statutes Section 458.347(4)(e), Florida Statutes |
| Registered Nurses | Section 464.003(19), Florida Statutes |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurses | Section 464.003(2), Florida Statutes |
| Licensed Practical Nurses | Section 464.003(18), Florida Statutes |
| Certified Nursing Assistant with Registered Nurse Delegation | Section 464.201(5), Florida Statutes |
| Paramedics | Section 401.272(2)(b), Florida Statutes |
| Pharmacists | Section 465.189, Florida Statutes |
| Registered Pharmacy Interns | Section 465.189, Florida Statutes |
| Registered Pharmacy Technicians | Health and Human Services Guidance Memorandum Dated 10/21/2020 |
Clinical Screening Tool for Identifying Persons Under Investigation
Symptomatic individuals should be asked to wear a surgical mask upon arrival. Initiate contact and airborne precautions, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Clinical Screening Tool for Identifying Persons Under Investigation for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Updated: May 11, 2020.
Take steps to ensure rapid safe triage and isolation of patients with symptoms of suspected COVID-19 or other respiratory infection (e.g., fever, cough). If an examination room is not readily available, ensure the patient is not allowed to wait among other patients seeking care. Health care personnel should adhere to Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions. See Guidelines for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings.
It is important to set up separate, well-ventilated triage areas, place patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in private rooms with the door closed and with private bathrooms (if possible). Reserve AIIRs for patients with COVID-19 undergoing aerosol generating procedures and for care of patients with pathogens transmitted by the airborne route (e.g. tuberculosis, measles, varicella).
Priorities for COVID-19 Testing
HIGH PRIORITY
- Hospitalized patients with symptoms.
- Health care facility workers, workers in congregate living settings, and first responders with symptoms.
- Residents in long-term care facilities or other congregate living settings, including correctional and detention facilities and shelters, with symptoms.
PRIORITY
- Persons with symptoms of potential COVID-19 infection, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea, and/or sore throat.
- Persons without symptoms who are prioritized by health departments or clinicians, for any reason, including but not limited to public health monitoring, sentinel surveillance, or screening of other asymptomatic individuals according to state and local plans.
Testing
Collection of diagnostic respiratory specimens (e.g. nasopharyngeal swab) should be performed in a normal examination room with the door closed.
- The health care provider is responsible for specimen collection, handling and shipping. Please follow CDC guidance.
- High priority specimens should be processed within your health care facility, if available; a commercial laboratory (e.g., LabCorp and Quest), or the Florida Bureau of Public Health Laboratory (BPHL).
- Before sending specimens to BPHL, contact your local county health department (CHD) Epidemiology Contacts.
- Priority specimens can be processed within your health care facility, if available; or a commercial laboratory (e.g., LabCorp and Quest).
- Health care providers may consult a local CHD for additional guidance as needed.
Additional Guidance
Providers are encouraged to frequently monitor Florida Department of Health and CDC websites for updated guidance on COVID-19.
- FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov
- Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers – CDC Website
- Information for Healthcare Professionals – CDC Website
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Learn about the latest COVID-19 case count.
The Florida Department of Health is actively working with private and public partners to monitor COVID-19. The Florida Department of Health has set up testing sites throughout the state and is assisting with vaccine distribution.
The Florida Department of Health is communicating regularly with the public and health care providers with updates on COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. The COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7 at 1-866-779-6121.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization are reliable and up-to-date sources of information about this evolving outbreak.
For Florida specific information, please consult the Florida Department of Health website.
