Florida Governor DeSantis Opposes New COVID Booster Regardless of Contradiction by Federal Well being Officers – Orlando Sentinel

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s high well being division official, Joseph Ladapo, are expressing opposition to the brand new COVID-19 booster shot, contradicting federal well being suggestions. They argue that there isn’t sufficient proof to help the advantages of the booster shot outweighing the dangers. Throughout a latest Zoom name with medical doctors that was livestreamed on the platform X, DeSantis and Ladapo reiterated their opposition to the booster shot, echoing the feelings they beforehand expressed in a stay occasion in Jacksonville.
Ladapo’s earlier remarks about COVID-19 vaccines drew criticism from federal well being companies, who deemed his claims dangerous to the general public. In response, the FDA and CDC co-signed a letter emphasizing the function of public well being officers in defending susceptible populations and expressing concern that fueling vaccine hesitancy undermines public well being efforts. It’s value noting that Florida has a excessive senior citizen inhabitants.
Ladapo, who holds a medical diploma and a Ph.D. in well being coverage from Harvard College, was appointed by DeSantis in September 2021. Since then, his shut alignment with the governor in opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and different federal well being insurance policies has drawn nationwide consideration and scrutiny. Ladapo’s positions on COVID-19 steering, together with his refusal to reveal whether or not he obtained a vaccine, have been criticized by Democrats in Florida. Moreover, Ladapo confronted backlash when he refused to put on a masks throughout a gathering with a Democratic senator present process most cancers therapy. Senate Democrats later walked out of a affirmation listening to, accusing Ladapo of being evasive.
Governor DeSantis defended his state’s strategy to COVID-19 measures, stating that it has turn out to be a divisive challenge in society. It needs to be famous {that a} correction to the story clarifies that the CDC advisable the vaccines, however didn’t approve them.