Florida loves individual rights — unless you want a COVID vaccine

Key discussions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic focused on: make it mandatory and whether to require people to be vaccinated. Supporters of the mandate argued that vaccines were the best way to protect people from the now deadly virus. over 1 million Americans While opponents argue that individual freedom and the ability of people to make their own choices.

Medical and public health officials are almost unanimous in saying vaccines are extremely safe and highly effective at preventing serious illness. However, there is a notable and perhaps only exception.

That exception is Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of Health. Criticizing the new coronavirus infection mRNA vaccine From the beginning of his appointment.

Lately, I've been filled with anger. medical world And in response to the vilification of public health experts, he urged Floridians to: Avoid COVID-19 mRNA vaccines It cites the bizarre and debunked claim that vaccines contain DNA fragments that modify our genes.

First, it's important to check the facts.It is essential to recognize that DNA fragments found in most vaccines It has to do with how they are produced.But the idea that these fragments could mix with our genes and lead to potential cancer and reproductive risks It's false. If it were easy for foreign DNA to enter the nucleus of a cell and mix with genes, it would have been possible to treat genetically based diseases and certain types of cancer long ago.

When Dr. Ladapo expressed his concerns He ignored this statement in a December complaint to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, and subsequent public recommendations. F.D.A. A thoughtful and science-based rebuttal. His presentation did not include any discussion of alternatives to mRNA vaccines, such as protein-based vaccines. Novavax COVID-19 vaccinewas conspicuously absent.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 continues to have a significant medical impact on Florida. More than 3,000 people hospitalized, 53 dead From December 24th to December 30th, according to the New York Times coronavirus tracker.at least 8,000 people Died of coronavirus infection in Florida in 2023; that number could be even higher, given that state officials mysteriously added more than 7,100 tolls on Dec. 18, only to remove them days later citing “data updates.” be.

Dr. Lapad's fight for individual rights regarding coronavirus vaccines began about two years ago.

In March 2022, he announced: healthy children People should not ignore the coronavirus vaccine and receive it. data It shows that more than half of pediatric patients with severe infections had no underlying medical problems.There was more than that 1,800 children Since 2020, more people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. than children have died from COVID-19. influenza or RS virusor measure RSV at the same time.

Following this Florida is the only state Do not place pre-orders for COVID-19 vaccines for children if approved for use in people 6 months to 5 years of age in June 2022. Advisory Committee on Vaccination Implementation Minutes of the meeting.

Under pressure from the public and the medical community, The state ultimately ordered the COVID-19 vaccine. For younger age groups. However, the Florida Department of Health facility, which has historically played an important role in immunizing children, Vaccines were not provided to infants.. In Florida, not everyone has easy access to a doctor or pharmacy in their county that can administer the vaccine.

The next step in weakening the mRNA vaccine occurred on October 7, 2022.Dr. Ladapo announced Young adult men should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to increased risk of cardiac death due to myocarditis. It has since been reported that this recommendation was based on: Ministry of Health reports that he falsified to support his conclusion. Of note is the risk of myocarditis following currently offered COVID-19 vaccination and booster therapies. extremely rareTwo cases were reported after administering more than 650,000 doses.

Anti-choice messages and actions continued in September, with individuals recommending: Under 65 years old People should not receive the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Florida's Surgeon General has issued a statement regarding such vaccinations:anti-human”

This has been the case since the pandemic began. 25 percent of deaths It also occurs in people under the age of 65. His statement did not recommend alternative vaccines or other preventive measures.If that's not enough, the Florida Department of Health Website It previously contained information about COVID-19 precautions and where vaccinations are available, but it no longer exists.

In November, the Florida Surgeon General issued the following statement following the announcement: campaign event In New Hampshire, he worked with Governor DeSantis to promote all things personal medical freedom.

It is unprecedented for public health officials to appear at campaign events, and the University of Florida also Employing Dr. Ladapo, political activities not allowed during work hours. State health officials have an oath of loyalty to the public and public health, and that trust can be undermined if their actions are seen as politically motivated.

On January 3, Dr. Ladapo concluded all previous statements with this advice: No one should receive the COVID-19 mRNA vaccineand not just people under 65.

This virus is known to be particularly serious for people who: older. mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 are almost universally used, but how are older adults protected if they are not vaccinated? How can we stop the spread of COVID-19 through nursing homes? Six months after COVID-19 vaccines were first approved. Florida leads the US. Number of people aged 65 and older who have been vaccinated.

Will the Florida Department of Health still provide COVID-19 vaccines in the future? Or will new orders be suspended and existing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine stocks returned to manufacturers? Will it be?

Florida's coronavirus death toll has just reached or is approaching that number. 100,000.Florida has moved out of the lowest-performing state. Mortality rate due to new coronavirus infection in the United States over the first 18 months of the pandemic, including the pre-COVID-19 vaccination era. one of the best.

As much as we want to forget the pain, tragedy and social isolation of the pandemic, and as tired as we are of hearing about COVID-19, We need to recognize that it is a serious respiratory pathogen that is present in us just like the coronavirus infection. influenza. In 2023, The number of deaths due to the new coronavirus infection is 70,000. In the United States, it accounts for 2% of deaths from all causes. This is significantly more than the number of people dying from the disease. RSV or influenza this year.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Data shows that even medically vulnerable people are better served if they are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines and treated with antiviral drugs when they become ill. death It will be very low.

If we are to respect the right of individuals to make their own medical decisions, it is essential that we also respect their right to accurate information. In doing so, public health and medical stakeholders must fulfill their obligation to obtain vetted expert and thoughtful input when making recommendations.

This duty is especially important for public health officials who must protect all people in the states mentioned above. personal crusade And politics.

Scott A. Rivkees, MD, is a professor of practice at the Brown School of Public Health. He is a former Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of Health.