Snowbirds upset after Florida announces residency requirements to get COVID-19 vaccine

Now that Florida has announced they’re cracking down on who is able to get COVID-19 vaccines, many of the snowbirds who live part-time in Southwest Florida have a lot of questions.

The residency requirement only applies to those people who are still trying to secure their first dose. So, if you’ve already received your first dose, you’re good to go as far as getting the second one.

While some struggle to prove they live here part-time, others want to know what will happen if they’ve already received their first shot.

Sunshine is the reason Jim and Marcy Hotz came to Florida. “Just getting out of the snow,” Jim said.

These proud snowbirds have been renting a condo in Cape Coral for the last six years. They call it home for three to four months out of the year.

“We definitely didn’t come down here because like ‘hey, we need to get her shots in Florida.’ We came down here and said I’ve already spent 10 grand,” Jim said.

“We went up to a KFC and there was a long line and we’re waiting and as we were approaching the kiosk to put a order in, this guy behind us is just ranting and raving and I’m thinking ‘What the hell is he yelling at?'” he said. “He’s saying ‘Go back to your effing home, go back!'”

They are very aware that year-round Floridians want to get vaccinated. But, so do they.

“My husband has heart issues and he’s a diabetic and I’m borderline diabetic myself so we’re worried about our own health,” said Marcy. “We feel that if we get COVID, we will die. We really believe that. So yes, we understand how people feel.”

But now, after Florida unveiled new vaccine rules, the Hotzs are no longer eligible for the vaccine. While they are in Southwest Florida longer than the required 31 days, they do not have proper documentation.

So, in order to get the vaccine, they would have to have two specific documents. A mortgage, rent or utility bill, or lease agreement. They only have one of the documents – a lease.

“I think the governor probably needed more guidance from people like us to explain what it’s like to be a snowbird,” said Marcy.

According to Florida’s vaccine report, more than 43,000 people from out-of-state have gotten their shot in Florida. The Hotzs say it’s not right that they live here for months but are still not able to get their vaccine. They hope the state reverses the rule.