PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–Florida has been a state for “firsts” since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and March 7 was no exception, as state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced that his office will recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations 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,” Ladapo said at a roundtable discussion in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He didn’t elaborate on what the Florida Department of Health considers to be a “healthy” child or provide any other details.
The Florida Department of Health didn’t respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for further comment.
The announcement came at the end of a 90-minute roundtable meeting of medical experts about the dangers and the fallout of lockdown policies, including their 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 (CDC) guidelines, as well as doctors and pediatric organizations across the country.
On Nov. 2, 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC advised that vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 would protect their health and “allow them to fully engage in all activities” that are important for their health and development.
“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 Dr. Lee Savio Beers. “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 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and school officials, grabbing headlines around the nation last year.
DeSantis, a Republican, ended the argument after a special session of the Florida Legislature was called by executive order in November 2021. That session resulted in the approval of four measures dealing with vaccine and mask mandates, as well as prohibiting the state’s surgeon general from mandating vaccinations during a public health crisis. All measures were to limit the effect of federal vaccine mandates on Floridians.
