Tallahassee - Monday June 20, 2022: Florida Agriculture Commissioner, and democratic candidate for Governor, Nikki Fried lashed out at the DeSantis Administration Monday over its decision not to pre-order Covid vaccines for children under the age of five.
Florida is the only state not to have pre-ordered Covid vaccines for children under the age of 5. During a news conference in Tallahassee Monday Fried, who is running for the democratic nomination for governor, said the GOP Governor’s decision has created chaos and confusion
“It’s just one more anti-science, dangerous Covid denialism from Governor and Dr. Ladapo (Florida Surgeon General) who are playing politics with the health of our kids once again.”
Last Friday the FDA authorized vaccinations for children between 6 months and 5 years of age, a move endorsed over the weekend by the CDC which issued its formal recommendation following unanimous support by its advisory committee.
“Due to this failure by the DeSantis administration and the confusion created by this dangerous decision, Florida will likely see some delays in receiving doses as the federal government is once again having to step up and fill the Governor’s leadership void.”
In the past the Florida health department has recommended that children above the age of 5 and adults should get Covid vaccinations, but when asked at a news conference why not this time the Governor said - "From six months to five, the state’s recommendation is a recommendation against doing it. That’s different from saying you can’t. You are free to choose. That’s not an issue. Doctors can get it, hospitals can get it, but there’s not going to be any state programs that are going to be trying to get Covid jabs to infants and toddlers and newborns. That’s not something we think is appropriate.”