Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo continues discouraging Floridians from using the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
On Sept. 13, Ladapo provided guidance against COVID-19 boosters for individuals under 65 and younger. In addition to aforementioned concerns, providers and patients should be aware of outstanding safety and efficacy concerns outlined in the State Surgeon General’s previous booster guidance released in September 2023.
- On August 22, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized updated versions of mRNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna. The FDA approved the vaccine for people 12 and older and provided emergency use authorization for children 6 months to 11 years old.
In a recent Florida Department of Health release, “Updated Guidance for COVID-19 Boosters for the Fall and Winter 2024–2025 Season,” he cited the “high rate of global immunity and currently available data,” in his advisement against the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
- “Any provider concerned about the health risks associated with COVID-19 for patients over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions should prioritize patient access to non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and treatment.”
Alternative: “Improving habits and overall health help manage and reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, risk factors for serious illness from COVID-19.
The State Surgeon General and the Department continue to encourage Floridians to prioritize their overall health by:
- Staying physically active,
- Minimizing processed foods,
- Prioritizing vegetables and healthy fats, and
- Spending time outdoors to support necessary vitamin D levels.
BUT:
The Florida Department of Health release included this statement: “The stated target of these boosters isthe Omicron variant which is not causing a significant number of infections. “
The link is to an article on the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s website about the updated COVID vaccine for this fall and winter.
Its subtitle: “The updated COVID-19 vaccine provides safe, effective protection against current variants for everyone six months and older.”