TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is advising most citizens in the state against taking the latest COVID-19 booster shot. DeSantis and Florida Surgeon Joseph Ladapo discussed the vaccine with doctors on a Zoom call, expressing concerns about the lack of sufficient data to demonstrate the benefits of the vaccine outweighing potential risks.
During the discussion, DeSantis emphasized that Florida has taken a different approach, diverging from the guidance provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who have both approved the booster shot.
The Zoom call, which was livestreamed on X, featured the words “NO WAY FDA” on the screen before DeSantis introduced the doctors. Ladapo, a DeSantis appointee who has faced criticism for his stance on COVID-19 vaccine mandates, expressed his frustrations with the CDC and FDA’s decisions, questioning their reliance on data and common sense.
It is worth noting that Ladapo’s previous warnings against COVID-19 vaccines prompted a public letter from federal health agencies, labeling his claims as harmful to the public. The FDA and CDC sent the letter in March, raising concerns over Ladapo’s alignment with DeSantis in opposing vaccine mandates and other federal health policies.
