Florida Health Department Cautions Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Amid Concerns About Safety

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The Florida Department of Health, under the guidance of State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, has issued updated guidance regarding COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and boosters for the fall and winter 2024-2025 season. Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent approval of updated mRNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the health department is cautioning against their use, citing concerns over the lack of clinical trial data and emerging safety risks.

Key Concerns Highlighted in the Florida Department of Health Report:

• The newly approved mRNA boosters target the Omicron variant, which is not currently causing a significant number of infections.
• No human clinical trial data specific to these boosters have been provided.
• The boosters are not designed to protect against the dominant COVID-19 strain in the U.S., which currently accounts for 37% of infections.
• Critical data on the boosters’ ability to prevent hospitalizations or deaths are absent.

The department's report raised further concerns about the safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which have been linked to several potential health risks, including:

• Increased risk of myocarditis and cardiovascular issues, especially among healthy individuals.
• Potential association with autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Persistence of mRNA and spike proteins in some individuals for an indefinite period, posing possible long-term health risks.

Recommendations for Healthcare Providers: Healthcare providers are encouraged to inform patients of these risks, particularly for those over 65 or with underlying health conditions. The Surgeon General suggests prioritizing access to non-mRNA vaccines for at-risk populations and urges providers to discuss alternative treatments with their patients.

Improving Overall Health: The Florida Department of Health continues to emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to mitigate the risks of severe COVID-19 illness. Floridians are encouraged to stay physically active, consume nutritious foods, and spend time outdoors to boost vitamin D levels.

For more information and the latest updates on COVID-19 guidance, please visit Florida Department of Health’s website here.