Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and state’s top health official advise against COVID-19 booster shots, contradicting federal recommendations

Florida’s Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, along with Governor Ron DeSantis, publicly discouraged residents under the age of 65 from receiving the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine boosters, in direct opposition to guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The divergence in messaging unfolded during a panel discussion with healthcare professionals critical of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Ladapo announced the state’s cautionary stance against the boosters, which were recently endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Governor DeSantis, who had initially advocated for COVID-19 vaccinations upon their release, has since emerged as a prominent skeptic of the vaccines’ safety. This skepticism has intensified during his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, with his campaign vowing to oppose “bogus attempts by the Left to expand government control” related to COVID-19 precautions.

Florida is currently grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases, reporting more cases than any other state. The state’s pandemic-related death toll has surpassed 90,000, with weekly new cases consistently exceeding 24,000 for the past two weeks.

This development coincides with a broader spike in COVID hospital admissions across the United States since early July. Although infections are likely on the rise, the lack of comprehensive tracking after the cessation of the public health emergency in May has made it challenging to quantify the exact extent of the increase. Some schools, hospitals, and businesses have taken measures such as reinstating mask mandates or recommending mask usage as part of their efforts to curb the virus’s spread. However, these initiatives lack widespread enforcement, with many Republicans resisting COVID-related recommendations.

CDC and FDA Advocate Updated Vaccines for All The CDC advises that individuals aged six months and older should receive a new shot from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. The guidance further states that individuals aged 65 and above or those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are eligible for booster shots.

Federal health officials maintain that the updated vaccines are both safe and effective. The FDA underscored its confidence in these vaccines’ safety and efficacy, asserting that the benefits outweigh any risks. On Tuesday, the CDC emphasized the critical role of vaccinations in preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths, and long-term effects.

The CDC’s guidance is built on the premise that the virus causing COVID-19 continuously evolves, and the protection afforded by vaccines diminishes over time. Therefore, receiving updated COVID-19 vaccines can restore and enhance protection against the current variants responsible for the majority of infections and hospitalizations in the United States.

Contradictory Panel Assembled by DeSantis Governor DeSantis convened a panel on Wednesday, featuring Ladapo, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University Health Policy Professor known for his contrarian views on COVID-19, and two other physicians. The panel expressed various concerns regarding the new booster shots.

Ladapo cautioned against administering updated vaccine shots to young individuals and those not at high risk, citing the community’s existing immunity and the uncertainty surrounding the vaccines’ safety.

Bhattacharya endorsed this recommendation, calling into question the data used by American public health authorities and urging them to disclose their sources.

Public Health Expert Criticizes Surgeon General’s Guidance Dr. Marissa Levine, a public health expert at the University of South Florida-Health and former Virginia state health commissioner, criticized the state’s stance, deeming it detrimental to Floridians. Levine emphasized the importance of individuals considering their personal health situation and seeking advice from healthcare professionals rather than making decisions based on political statements. She also challenged the extent of risks associated with the boosters, asserting that the data indicated COVID-19 posed greater risks than the vaccine.

Levine contextualized Governor DeSantis’ position in light of his presidential aspirations, suggesting that underlying motivations played a role in his stance. She underscored the potential harm caused by undermining public institutions and fostering fear rather than support.