Good Question: Can snowbirds get COVID shots in Florida?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— We’re answering your Good Questions about vaccines. This one covers snowbirds.

News10NBC’s Brennan Somers has heard from several viewers asking this question: I spend part of the year in Florida, can I get the vaccine there?

The answer is yes. There are some rules.

Here’s why–when the vaccine rollout began a lot of people who live in FL got concerned about ‘"vaccine tourism." That’s a real thing. The concern was over people from out of state, even out of the country, going to FL to get vaccinated. Now FL state officials are cracking down on vaccine tourists.

Just last week they put in new rules, requiring proof of residency to get a COVID shot. The notice states: Seasonal resident means any person who temporarily resides in this state for a period of at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year, maintains a temporary residence in this state, returns to the state or jurisdiction of his or her residence at least one time during each calendar year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction.

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Watch previous Good Question segments here. If you have a question you’d like answered, email GoodQuestion@whec.com.

You can prove residency with an FL ID or a driver’s license if you have one. Other documents like a power bill or pieces of mail also work. Remember as we’ve been telling you, if you got your first shot here in NY you should follow up and get the second one here. That booster dose should’ve already been scheduled at the same site as well.