DeSantis and Ladapo Recommend Against COVID Vaccine for Healthy Children

The decision goes against the CDC, which has urged parents to get their children vaccinated.

The latest move by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration against COVID safety measures is targeting children.

On Monday, DeSantis hosted a panel called, “The Curtain Close on COVID Theater,” where Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida’s surgeon general, recommended healthy children not get the COVID vaccine.

“The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children,” Dr. Ladapo said, in opposition to the posture of the CDC, which encourages parents to get their children vaccinated.

“COVID-19 can make children very sick and cause children to be hospitalized,” the agency has said.

According to the CDC, from Jan. 4, 2020, to Feb. 26, 2022, 970 children between 0 to 18 years of age, died from COVID in the US.

This is one of the most recent reckless decisions DeSantis and Ladapo have made during the pandemic. In the past, Ladapo has opposed mask requirements. He even refused to wear one when meeting with a state lawmaker who has cancer. He has also questioned coronavirus vaccines.

DeSantis has resisted implementing many of the recommendations made by CDC experts in the state, and sold “Don’t Fauci my Florida” merchandise on his campaign website.

“This is a blatant disregard of the lives of our kids and there’s definitely some other agenda that seems to be driving this decision,” Orlando pediatrician Dr. Salma Elfaki told WESH 2.