Fla. gov. and CNN reporter get in heated exchange over COVID-19 vaccine distribution

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 07: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:45 PM PT – Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) set the record straight on COVID-19 vaccine rollout during a heated exchange with a CNN reporter.

The argument started at a press conference Monday in Seminole County after the governor announced his plan to prioritize COVID-19 shots for senior citizens.

At the Q&A, CNN’s Rosa Flores blamed him for shortcomings of the distribution effort. DeSantis maintained that while the state delivered the shots to hospitals, they have freedom to distribute it at their own discretion.

The reporter asked DeSantis, “So are you saying there was no plan then, from the state to make sure that senior citizens didn’t wait outside overnight?”

“So the state is not dictating to hospitals, we’re not dictating to Carlos Migoya how he runs his operations here,” DeSantis said. “That would be a total disaster. These guys are much more competent to be able to deliver health care services than a state government could ever be.”

The governor added vaccines will be distributed to underserved communities and access will be expanded through state supported sites.

We are building on efforts to deliver the vaccine to those who need it the most – seniors. I’ve announced four new actions to accomplish our goals and I thank the health care workers working diligently to serve our communities through vaccination distribution. pic.twitter.com/wNE4uIiCAz

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 4, 2021

This discussion came after CNN took heat for admitting to bias against the Trump administration in press conferences.

MORE NEWS: Authorities Investigate Explosions In Pittsburgh