Every resident of long-term care facilities in Florida could receive a COVID-19 vaccination by the end of this month, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday at a White House vaccines summit.

The governor’s ambitious schedule would mean that about 145,000 residents of 4,000 facilities would receive the vaccinations within the next few weeks, if they want them. Vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna are expected to receive approval this week and next.

“We could have every resident of nursing homes and long-term care facilities vaccinated in the month of December,” DeSantis said at a White House panel discussion with three other governors. “That’s within our grasp right now.”

Long-term care facilities have been hit particularly hard by the disease. Residents and staff account for 7,558 deaths in Florida, about 39% of the state’s total death toll of 19,627, according to figures released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Health.

Continue reading at South Florida Sun Sentinel.