COLLIER COUNTY — Starting Monday, you now have to prove you live in Florida to get the COVID-19 vaccine here.
The executive order, passed by Governor DeSantis, is trying to put a stop to vaccine tourism.
Early Monday morning, the Florida Department of Health in Collier County tweeted a graphic reminding people all of the items they could bring to show proof of residency.
When we actually got out and talked to people, we found out most of them had over-prepared.
"I have a driver’s license, I brought my tax bills," said Carleen Kulscar.
"Mainly our driver’s license, but we brought our Medicare cards, we brought proof of paying taxes and the utility bill. I mean just back up just in case, but we didn’t need that," said Carol Furtwengler.
All of those documents are acceptable under the Governor’s new executive order, and for the most part, people seemed to think it was a good idea to make sure the vaccines are only going to Floridians.
"I think it’s necessary. You have a lot of people here in Florida hasn’t got it yet. I just think it was the right move by the Governor," said Howard Huelsman.
"I’m very happy, because I’ve heard of too many people who have come from Canada and other states just to get the vaccine here, and it seems, it doesn’t seem right," said Kulscar.
We also got a question from a viewer wondering if she qualified. She lives in a rental unit three months out of the year, and she doesn’t pay utilities, so she doesn't have a Florida drivers license, a utility bill, or the deed to a house to show she lives here.
But even so, FDOH said she can still get vaccinated. It responded saying “She would need a copy of the lease agreement and (for example) a piece of mail from a financial institution.”
