Florida Orders COVID-19 Vaccines Pulled for Children Under 5, Defying Federal Guidance
On June 5, 2024, Florida took a bold step by withdrawing support for COVID-19 vaccinations for children under the age of 5. This decision, led by State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, means public health units in Florida are no longer ordering or distributing vaccines for this age group. As a result, Florida stands alone as the only U.S. state to openly defy the updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which advocates for vaccination for individuals aged six months and older.
Dr. Ladapo expressed concerns about the vaccine’s safety and attributed his decision to a lack of robust data demonstrating its benefits for healthy young children. “There’s simply not enough data to show the benefit of this vaccine in healthy children under five outweighs the risk,” he stated. This assertion echoes a now-disproven theory that mRNA vaccines could alter human DNA—a claim the CDC and FDA firmly reject.
Florida’s decision closely follows the FDA’s recent approval of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine specifically designed to combat new variants, including the KP.2 and KP.3 strains. Despite this FDA-backed vaccine being available as of early June, Florida has chosen to advise against vaccinations for all age demographics. This stance is reminiscent of its position when it did not pre-order COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 in June 2022, right after the FDA authorized the shots for that age group.
As of April 2024, vaccination rates for young children nationwide are strikingly low, with results showing that less than 5% of U.S. children under age 5 have completed the vaccination series. In Florida, the percentage is lower, below 3%. Health officials cite several factors contributing to this hesitancy, including parental doubts, vaccine shortages, and fluctuating messages from state officials.
The CDC warns that COVID-19 can lead to serious complications in children. It cites the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) as one potential outcome, a condition that has resulted in over 2,000 cases and more than 70 deaths among children since the pandemic began. A 2023 CDC report indicated that unvaccinated children face two to three times the chances of hospitalization compared to their vaccinated peers during peak variant surges.
This Florida decision has been criticized as politicizing public health, potentially further diminishing vaccination rates. Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, commented, “This decision sends the wrong message to parents. It directly undermines years of research and hard-earned consensus among health experts about how to protect children.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reinforced its recommendation that all eligible children aged six months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine, praising its safety and effectiveness. They emphasize these vaccines as a vital tool for safeguarding children’s health.
Conversely, supporters of Ladapo argue that healthy young children are at minimal risk of severe COVID-19 illness. They contend that pressures to vaccinate may impose unnecessary burdens on families. Data from the CDC indicates that infants and toddlers have consistently shown the lowest rates of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 since the outset of the pandemic. An analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation notes children under 5 account for less than 0.1% of total COVID-related deaths in the U.S.
However, experts caution against relying solely on historical data. Dr. Céline Gounder, an epidemiologist and editor-at-large, stated, “The virus continues to evolve.” Variants like KP.2 and KP.3 exhibit enhanced transmissibility, and although young children statistically fare better, they can still pose risks to older or vulnerable individuals in their families.
On a practical level, Florida’s decision disrupts the typical vaccine distribution channels for pediatric offices, pharmacies, and hospitals in the state. Local providers will have to acquire vaccines from private distributors, a move that could inflate costs and delay availability, particularly in rural areas. Smaller clinics that depend on the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for free vaccine access may find themselves cut off due to the state’s lack of involvement in ordering vaccines.
The federal response has been measured. The CDC reaffirmed its recommendations following Florida’s decision but did not issue directives to challenge the state’s actions directly. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra remarked, “Science, not politics, must continue to guide our decisions.”
Florida’s policy introduces complex dynamics at the intersection of public health and governance. It prompts critical discussions about the extent of state power in contrasting federal public health recommendations. While the federal government establishes safety and eligibility standards for vaccines, actual distribution remains under state control, allowing for state-level autonomy in these decisions.
As Florida families navigate this fragmented vaccination landscape, some pediatricians are seeking to independently source the updated vaccine, but availability is sporadic. Dr. Maria Lopez, a pediatrician in Tampa, noted, “We’ve had to turn away several parents looking to get their toddlers vaccinated. They’re anxious and confused. One mother asked if she should drive to Georgia.”
The implications of Florida’s policy extend beyond immediate child health concerns. It could have lasting effects on public trust in forthcoming vaccination efforts, particularly in light of emerging health threats. The CDC estimates that during the 2022-2023 season, COVID-19 claimed more lives among children under 5 than seasonal influenza, with over 200 young children losing their lives to COVID compared to fewer than 100 from the flu.
In a rapidly evolving health landscape influenced by both scientific and political factors, Florida’s approach may impact future responses to outbreaks. The implications of such decisions may unfold over years, particularly affecting communities that lack sufficient protection against COVID-19 and other threats.
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