Sen. Scott questions why visitors are getting COVID-19 vaccine in Fla.

Sen. Rick Scott is voicing concerns over who’s getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, tweeting that Floridians deserve the vaccine over non-residents.

The Republican senator said this weekend that “health care and front line workers and most vulnerable populations” should get priority, not foreign nationals.

But counties say that would go against their instructions.

This is deeply concerning. Vaccines must go first to Floridians, starting with our health care and front line workers and most vulnerable populations. This week, I asked for answers from @HealthyFla and more info on Florida’s vaccine distribution: https://t.co/ASBzKoMnh7 https://t.co/FcWFfmk5jP

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 10, 2021

Scott’s tweet came hours after he asked for answers from the state regarding its vaccine policy.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said people 65 and older should be first in line for the COVID-19 vaccine, and it doesn’t matter where they live.

“They are vaccinating people from out of state, out of county, and I feel like we just say, ‘Oh, you live here, you don’t matter, and if you’re in from New York and you want to get online and get vaccinated, you can, and I just think that’s wrong,” said one WINK News viewer.

Scott also wants an explanation, and the debate pits the former governor against the man who replaced him.

“I mean it’s not like they’re just vacationing for two weeks; you’ll have people who are here four, five months a year, they have relationships with doctors, they get medical care in Florida, they’re obviously involved,” DeSantis said.

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County and County Manager Roger Desjarlais agree that they won’t turn anyone away. They can’t.

“The federal government provides the vaccine, it’s no cost to anyone in any way, and for that reason, it doesn’t matter if they’re from another county, another state or another country. So what would I say to the Canadians? If you’re Canadian and you’re gonna get vaccinated here, stay long enough to get the second one or don’t do it at all,” Desjarlais said.

Scott isn’t satisfied. He has asked the state’s surgeon general for a better explanation.

So far, to our knowledge, the surgeon general has not responded to Scott.