Florida will instate a rule which would require all COVID-19 vaccine recipients to produce proof of residence in the state to tackle “vaccine tourism”. Experts are of the opinion that the move can leave numerous the homeless, low-income people and undocumented migrants uninoculated. 

The decision was announced after reports suggested people over the age of 65 traveled to the state to get access to a vaccine. Florida has already inoculated over 1.3 million doses. 

Scott Rivkees, the surgeon general of Florida stated issued a public advisory that stated the recipients will have to produce documents of proof like a utility bill, bank letters, driver’s license among others. 

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Apart from “snowbirds,” people from northern climes such as New England and Canada who head to the southern state for the winter, Florida is home to a substantial population of immigrants — with one in five residents born abroad.

According to a study conducted by the American Immigration Council, over 7,75,000 undocumented immigrants reside in the state of Florida, which is about 18% of the total immigrant population of America. 

A physician at the Jackson Memorial Hospital, Lily Ostrer said, “It’s really unfortunate that the consequence of these new regulations is going to exclude some of the most vulnerable people in our community who are undocumented people.” 

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A coordinator at the not-for-profit organisation called United We Dream, Thomas Kennedy said, “It not only hinders many Florida residents “including undocumented immigrants but also people who lack access to housing or folks who are very low income from being able to access documentation to get them access to the vaccine right now.”