This week, I am encouraging Floridians to remain vigilant against COVID-19 vaccine-related scams.

Current reports suggest that more than a quarter of a million seniors are avoiding the COVID-19 vaccine due to misguided cost concerns perpetuated by scammers looking to steal personal and financial information. As the vaccination availability has increased to all Florida adults, I want to remind all Floridians that the vaccine is free to the public and no financial information will ever be required to receive an inoculation.

If you are seeking to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination shot, now is not the time to let your guard down. If anyone contacts you claiming to be a health care representative requesting financial information in exchange for a vaccine appointment, hang up and call my office. Instead of waiting to be contacted, you can also visit MyVaccine.fl.gov to register for the COVID-19 vaccine and check on the status of your registration.

Floridians preparing to register for the vaccine should know that they may be asked for the following items to secure an appointment or receive a shot:

· Driver’s license or other form of identification;
· Contact and basic health information;
· Proof of eligibility; and
· Insurance or Medicare card, if the recipient is insured.

Floridians may receive calls, texts messages or emails from the Florida Department of Health, or other authorized sources, to assist in scheduling a vaccine or to confirm a vaccine appointment. To confirm if communication regarding vaccine appointments is legitimate or for questions regarding vaccine appointments, reach out to your local Florida Department of Health county office or call the COVID-19 Call Center by dialing (866) 779-6121, or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

By remaining informed on COVID-19 vaccine information and emerging vaccine-related scams, we will build a Stronger, Safer Florida.