Editor’s note: This story updates a previous version published.
The Department of Health criticized media coverage of a recent measles outbreak at a Broward County elementary school and tried to clarify its position on whether parents should keep their unvaccinated children home.
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has been lambasted by physicians and public health officials for a Feb. 20 letter deferring to parents Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston on whether to send unvaccinated children to classes.
“Many media outlets are reporting false information and politicizing this outbreak,” said Grant Kemp, spokesman for Ladapo’s Department of Health.
“The Department has also worked with Manatee Bay Elementary to educate parents on measles and ensure that any parent who is concerned for their child, regardless of their immunization status, may choose to keep their children home and utilize continuous learning during this time.”
Kemp went onto say that measles oubreaks are occurring in multiple states.