Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced the elimination of all vaccine mandates, which will place all Floridians in danger of contracting numerous diseases such as measles and polio, notes CNN.
The decision ends requirements for childhood vaccines like measles and polio, and is backed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, reports the Orlando Sentinel:
“Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery,” Ladapo said Wednesday at a press conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The announcement at a private Christian school in Hillsborough County was met with loud applause from the crowd and praise from anti-vaccine groups online — but was also condemned by medical experts from across Florida for risking the health of children…
Michael Muszynski, a pediatric infectious disease expert and professor emeritus at Florida State University’s College of Medicine, said he was “appalled” by Florida’s decision and worried some other states would do the same.
He said he wasn’t sure why Florida leaders would pursue such a policy. “What is wrong with these people? Why are they doing this? Don’t they like children?” he said…
DeSantis said his administration would push a “big medical freedom package” that would allow residents to decide what shots their children receive. He criticized pediatricians who require all mandated vaccines if parents want their child in the practice.
(Sources: Orlando Sentinel, CNN)