Vaccine

Many are finding themselves perplexed by new Covid-19 booster shot regulations from the Food and Drug Administration. After health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified that “it’s not recommended for healthy people” to the Senate Finance Committee, Florida implemented restrictions on vaccine access.

Wasting no time to start on his pledge last week to remove all vaccine mandates in Florida, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo quickly removed four of them from school immunization requirements starting as soon as December. He can remove only those four unilaterally but pledged to push lawmakers to abolish “every last one of them.”The four vaccines soon to be stripped from those required for public and private school attendance fight Hepatitis B, Varicella (chickenpox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), and a fourth one that fights Pneumococcal bacteria that causes pneumonia, meningitis and other bacterial infections, a Florida Department of Health representative confirmed on Sunday. All of those vaccines are recommended for school-age children by state and federal health authorities and medical associations.

Plans announced by State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Wednesday to end vaccine mandates in Florida, putting the state in the middle of a growing national debate, drew immediate concern and anger.Ladapo said the Florida Department of Health will eliminate rules set by his predecessors and request that the Legislature “get rid of the rest of it.” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida will establish a “Make America Healthy Again” advisory committee overseen by First Lady Casey DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins.

Florida will work to phase out all childhood vaccine mandates in the state, building on the effort by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to curb vaccine requirements and other health mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.DeSantis also announced on Wednesday the creation of a state-level “Make America Healthy Again” commission modeled after similar initiatives pushed at the federal level by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

As the number of reported measles cases continues to tick upward, medical experts are continuing to inform parents about the importance of vaccines in combating measles.

Holiday guests may bring unwanted viruses; experts urge vaccination now

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo recommend healthy children and adults under 65 avoid receiving the newest COVID-19 vaccine, which contradicts guidance from federal health officials that anyone six months or older should get the shot. Meanwhile, Lee Health plans to proceed by continuing to follow CDC guidance.

RSV and Covid cases are expected to be on the rise in coming weeks. Learn more about vaccines.

An influx of visitors and residents this time of year typically means more activity in hospitals, but Lee Health is experiencing a record-high number of hospitalized patients, prompting health system officials to urge people with only minor injuries or illnesses to avoid going to the ER and seek alternative paths to care.

The Tdap vaccine is critical to preventing Tetanus, especially for those who may have sustained cuts, scratches, or wounds from cleaning up debris after the hurricane and those whose last booster was 10 or more years ago.