The administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is advising individuals under the age of 65 against receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine, which goes against the guidance of federal health officials. This advice comes as there has been a rise in coronavirus-related hospitalizations in the state. Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo, who previously opposed vaccines for children and the use of masks during the pandemic, cited concerns about the safety of the vaccines. He stated that with the amount of immunity already present in the community and uncertainties regarding the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness, it is not a good decision for young people and those who are not at high risk.
Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved the updated vaccines for use, recommending that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the latest vaccine, specifically designed to combat the most prevalent variants of the virus. However, Governor DeSantis, a GOP contender in the 2024 presidential election, is cautioning against these shots, claiming they have not been proven safe or effective. He believes that the vaccines were hastily approved without sufficient evidence of their benefits outweighing any potential risks.
In response, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen assured the public that the vaccines are indeed safe and have undergone rigorous testing. Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, also defended the vaccines, emphasizing that they meet the agency’s strict scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. Despite these assurances, Governor DeSantis’ administration remains skeptical and critical of the vaccines.
Former Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees, who preceded Ladapo, criticized DeSantis and Ladapo’s messaging, stating that it goes against established public health norms. Dr. Rivkees asserted that COVID-19 is a vaccine-preventable disease and that the vaccines currently available are both safe and effective. The CDC continues to recommend that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the latest vaccine to protect against serious illness and death.
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida is currently the highest in the country. The CDC’s data shows an increase of 4.4% in new hospitalizations per 100,000 population within the past week. Nationwide, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have been steadily rising since July.
It is important to note that the EG.5 subvariant, also known as “Eris,” is responsible for the majority of COVID-19 cases in the United States.
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