Florida has been a state for “firsts” since the pandemic arrived on the scene, and March 7 was no exception, as state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced that his office will recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for “healthy children.”
“The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children,” said Ladapo at a roundtable discussion in West Palm Beach.
He did not elaborate on what the Florida Department of Health will consider a “healthy” child, or provide any other details.
The Epoch Times reached out to the Florida Department of Health for further reaction, but they did not respond by press time.
The announcement came at the end of a 90-minute roundtable meeting of medical experts about the dangers and the fall-out of lockdown policies, and negative effects on society as a whole, and children in particular.
The surgeon general’s advice goes against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines as well as doctors and pediatric organizations across the country.
On Nov. 2, an advisory committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC advised that vaccinating children ages 5 to 11 would protect their health and “allow them to fully engage in all activities” that are important for their health and development.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supported the CDC’s decision to vaccinate children 5 to 11 years of age.
“Sharing this life-saving vaccine with our children is a huge step forward, and provides us all with more confidence and optimism about the future,” said AAP President Lee Savio Beers, MD, FAAP. “Pediatricians are eager to participate in the immunization process and talk with families about this vaccine. We want to ensure that access to this vaccine is equitable, and that every child is able to benefit.”
Vaccine mandates and other mitigation efforts have often been a source of contention between the governor and school officials, grabbing headlines around the nation last year.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ended the argument after a special session of the Florida Legislature was called by executive order in November. It resulted in the passing of four bills dealing with vaccine and mask mandates as well as prohibiting the state’s surgeon general from mandating vaccinations during a public health crisis. All bills were to limit the impact of federal vaccine mandates on Floridians.
