Additional Coverage:
Florida Health Department Advises Against COVID Boosters
The Florida Health Department, led by Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, is urging older Floridians to avoid COVID-19 booster shots, claiming they may be dangerous. However, medical experts have denounced these claims as politically motivated and harmful.
Ladapo’s bulletin makes unsubstantiated claims about the safety and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, including that they could alter the human genome. These claims have been refuted by scientists and the FDA.
Politically Fueled Scaremongering
Critics accuse DeSantis and Ladapo of spreading anti-vaccine misinformation to appeal to their political base. This pattern has also extended to measles and whooping cough vaccinations.
Florida Doctors Express Dismay
Prominent Florida doctors have expressed dismay at the lack of response from medical leaders to Ladapo’s attacks on public health. They argue that health officials should prioritize the well-being of Floridians over political considerations.
False and Unproven Claims
Ladapo’s bulletin contains numerous false or unproven claims, such as:
- COVID boosters have not undergone clinical trials (false)
- The shots increase the risk of infections and autoimmune diseases (false)
- The shots can cause elevated levels of spike protein and foreign genetic material in the blood (disproven)
Unprecedented Advice
Vaccine historians say it’s unprecedented for a state health leader to urge residents to shun an FDA-approved and CDC-recommended vaccination.
Impact on Vaccination Rates
Ladapo’s statements have contributed to a decline in vaccination interest in Florida. Experts warn that this could lead to increased transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases.
Organized Anti-Vaccine Resistance
Organized resistance to vaccines has been prevalent for decades, fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories. The mRNA vaccines have faced particular resistance, despite their proven safety and effectiveness.
Disinformation Age
The ease of spreading misinformation in the digital age has contributed to the proliferation of anti-vaccine rhetoric. Credentialed individuals like Ladapo using their platforms to spread such claims is particularly concerning.