STATEWIDE —Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to people age 50 and up who are sworn law enforcement officers, firefighters, and teachers.

Last week, he hinted they would be next in line. This new order allows those people to get vaccines anywhere in Florida. 

The governor signed the updated executive order Monday afternoon, and it takes effect Wednesday, March 3.

It's the latest large group of people to be added to the list who are eligible to get vaccinated.

On Friday, DeSantis had signed an executive order changing the state's vaccine criteria to allow some Floridians under 65 years old to be vaccinated.

Before the order, only hospitals could administer the vaccine to those Floridians under 65 who were deemed medically vulnerable.

Now, doctors along with registered nurses and pharmacists will be able to vaccinate those under 65 years old who have a doctor's note showing them to be “extremely vulnerable” to COVID-19. 

Jordan Haywood requires an echocardiogram on his heart once a year, as well as an EKG. He sees his cardiologist twice a year after having open heart surgery to correct heart valve issues.​

“They take a titanium ring and put it around the mitral valve,” Haywood said, describing his procedure. “So when the heart pumps the valve shuts.”

Due to his underlying condition, he will no longer be shut out of getting a vaccine, something he and many other patients of Dr. Sandeep Bajaj are happy to hear.

“It’s a very important win,” Bajaj said. “If you look at the statistics of those with comorbidities, almost 40% have either high blood pressure — being the calmest — cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.”

At 54 years old, Haywood 's age will no longer keep him from getting vaccinated.

“Pretty relaxed about it,” he said. “I’m sure my time is getting closer.”

If he is able to makes an appointment online it could come as early as Wednesday with proper documentation from a doctor.

Right now, that change will only apply to doctor’s offices and pharmacies like Publix, not state-run vaccine sites. 

Florida residents more than 65 years old, frontline health care workers, and long-term care facility staff and residents are also still eligible for vaccination.

According to Seminole County Emergency Manager, Alan Harris, each physician will have to judge based on their patient’s information.

Bajaj said this will not only make thousands of people locally eligible for a vaccine, but hundreds of thousands across the state.

“Almost 30-40% of all the patients that we see are under the age of 65,” Bajaj said. “They have almost a higher risk than those older the age of 65.”

So far, according to the Florida Department of Health, more than 3 million Floridians have received at least one dose of vaccine in the sunshine state. Of those, more than 2 million vaccines have gone to those more than 65 years old. 

This order is a big change for expanding access to at-risk Floridians who have been waiting their turn. 

State Rep. Carlos Smith, D-Orlando, tweeted about the criteria expansion Sunday night saying, “If you’re medically vulnerable under 65 with a doctor’s note, the state confirms you’re eligible to be vaccinated. If their web portal hasn’t updated to show this change by 7 a.m. when it reopens tomorrow (Monday), just do what you can to try and book the appointment. You’re eligible! Period.”

According to Publix's website, it shows that starting at 7 a.m. Monday morning, those customers that are eligible for the vaccine can make an appointment online as soon as Wednesday, March 3 depending on vaccine and county availability.

Haywood, who has been waiting patiently, is now starting to feel optimistic.

“I see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Haywood said. “I’m starting to feel a little more relaxed.”