Extra to Watch: Florida Division of Well being Shares False Data About mRNA Vaccines
On September 12, the Florida Division of Well being issued up to date steerage advising in opposition to using up to date mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, contradicting federal and public well being officers who advocate up to date vaccines for everybody 6 months and older. The steerage falsely claimed that the mRNA vaccines pose well being dangers, a stance that has been refuted by the FDA earlier than. Consultants interviewed by KFF Well being Information imagine Ladapo’s steerage is politically motivated, aligning with Governor DeSantis’s stance in opposition to public well being mandates. Even with COVID-19 circumstances rising, medical professionals have been sluggish to counter this misinformation, presumably as a consequence of concern of political repercussions. Earlier KFF polling has discovered that almost all adults have no less than a good quantity of belief within the CDC (66%), the FDA (65%), and of their state and native public well being officers (64%) to make the appropriate suggestions with regards to well being points. Nevertheless, when state and federal public well being officers provide contradicting suggestions, the general public could also be confused on the best way to proceed.
Inside a day of the vaccine steerage announcement, 25,600 social media posts emerged, particularly in anti-vaccine circles, spreading false claims concerning the dangers of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, together with dying, most cancers, and blood clots. A prime publish on X from a health care provider supporting the steerage garnered round 283,000 views,14,000 likes, 5,200 reposts by September 26. On the similar time, posts debunking the Florida Division of Well being’s claims additionally gained traction. One physician’s thread criticizing the steerage as “antivaccine propaganda” and explaining the protection of mRNA vaccines acquired about 109,100 views, 2,900 likes, 840 reposts, and 20 feedback, with most agreeing that Florida’s steerage was harmful.
