In a move that diverges from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advice, Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, announced on Wednesday that the state will not be endorsing the use of the recently FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine boosters for individuals below the age of 65.
Florida Surgeon General encourages people not to get Covid vaccine even as cases in Florida surge
Published on
Ladapo was investigated by the Florida Department of Health for allegedly falsifying Covid reports.
While the CDC has advised that everyone aged six months and above should receive a fresh dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, they also suggest that those aged 65 and above, or those with significant health vulnerabilities, should consider two additional doses.
Dr. Ladapo made this revelation during a discussion with medical experts who expressed skepticism about the vaccine. This discussion was organized and led by Governor Ron DeSantis, who, interestingly, was simultaneously engaged in fundraising activities for his challenging presidential bid in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Initially, Governor DeSantis was a vocal advocate for the COVID-19 vaccines upon their release. However, his stance has evolved, and he has now emerged as a leading figure expressing concerns about the vaccines’ safety. This is in stark contrast to the federal health authorities who continue to emphasize the vaccines’ advantages over potential risks.
In a statement released post the discussion, DeSantis voiced his concerns, stating, “I cannot simply watch as the FDA and CDC treat the healthy citizens of Florida as experimental subjects for boosters whose safety and efficacy remain uncertain.”
This decision is particularly noteworthy given the current health scenario in Florida. The state’s hospitals have witnessed a surge in COVID cases, more than any other state in the U.S. With the death toll due to the pandemic crossing 90,000 and weekly new cases exceeding 24,000 for two successive weeks, Florida remains a hotspot in the ongoing health crisis.