Florida's COVID-19 Vaccines Draw Foreigners, Snowbirds

The availability of COVID-19 vaccines to people 65 and older in Florida is attracting visitors ranging from Americans or foreigners who own second homes in the state and reside there part-time to short-term visitors, reports the Wall Street Journal . The practice is being criticized by some officials and residents. In its guidance to local officials, the state detailed that people who meet the current eligibility criteria can be vaccinated in Florida whether they call the state home or not. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis distinguished between people who own second homes in Florida and reside part-time in the state and those who fly in and stay only briefly to get shots. "We're discouraging people to come to Florida just to get a vaccine," he said. Florida Department of Health Interim Communications Director Jason Mahon said the department will investigate any reported misuse of the vaccine, noting "it is absolutely not permitted for someone to come into Florida for one day to receive the vaccine and leave the next." The practice has coined the term "vaccine tourism."