Florida’s Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has called for halting the administration of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in the state, citing concerns over their safety and efficacy that have been discredited by federal health agencies.
Surgeon General Cites Debunked Claims About Vaccine Risks
In a letter addressed to Secretary Becerra of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Dr. Califf of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Ladapo argued that recent studies show COVID-19 mRNA vaccines may be associated with increased risk of new onset cardiac disease, neurological disorders, and reproductive issues.
However, top federal health officials including the head of the National Institutes of Health have stated these claims lack scientific evidence and the benefits of mRNA vaccination still clearly outweigh potential risks.
| Statement by Dr. Ladapo | Response from Health Authorities |
|---|---|
| mRNA vaccine spike proteins could potentially integrate into human DNA, causing mutations | Multiple studies confirm mRNA strands do not enter the cell nucleus so integration is not biologically feasible |
| Vaccines may increase cancer risk | No data suggests causation; benefits outweigh potential harms |
| Shots seem to increase cardiac disease in young adults | Claims derive from unreliable methodology; robust research shows vaccines safe |
“There are no data to support integration of RNA vaccine material into the DNA,” NIH Director Dr. Lawrence Tabak wrote in a letter responding to Dr. Ladapo’s claims.
The nation’s top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci called the assertions about DNA changes “preposterous.”
Florida Governor Stands by Controversial Surgeon General
Dr. Ladapo was appointed Florida Surgeon General in 2021 by Governor Ron DeSantis. His recent statements follow ongoing clashes with federal health guidance under the DeSantis administration.
Governor DeSantis stated he fully supports pausing use of mRNA vaccines as recommended by Dr. Ladapo.
“The Surgeon General has responsibility for health in Florida, and we support this recommended pause so the matter can be further evaluated,” DeSantis said in a press briefing Wednesday.
State Democrats and other critics accused the Governor and Surgeon General of sacrificing public health for political gain by spreading vaccine hesitancy without scientific basis.
“It’s clear…DeSantis cares only about sowing distrust if it serves his ambition,” state Senator Janet Cruz (D) tweeted.
What Could Happen Next?
Dr. Ladapo lacks direct authority to stop vaccine administration statewide, which would require changes to Florida’s vaccine policies and laws. However, his statements as Surgeon General could still worsen vaccine hesitancy and lower immunization rates.
Federal agencies seem unlikely to heed the calls for halting or limiting COVID-19 shots. All approved mRNA vaccines underwent rigorous testing and will remain available per CDC recommendations supporting their use for eligible populations.
There may be protracted legal battles between Florida and the federal government related to public health authority over immunization policies.
Overall the controversial actions from Florida’s health department leadership threaten progress made towards protecting communities from severe COVID-19 disease and controlling the pandemic through vaccination. Ongoing spread remains an issue especially with new troubling variants on the horizon.
“We have come too far to allow misinformation to threaten the health of Floridians,” said the state Health Department’s former lead epidemiologist Dr. Jason Salemi. “We must remember these vaccines save lives.”
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