In a recent interview, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made a bold declaration that, if elected president, he would not allocate funds for COVID-19 booster vaccines. This statement came during an extensive conversation with ABC News, held at an oil rig in Midland, Texas, where DeSantis was unveiling his proposed energy policy for his presidential campaign.
When asked if his policy as president would follow his current stance of discouraging booster shots for residents under 65, DeSantis responded firmly, “Well, certainly we’re not gonna fund them.” He went on to criticize the Biden administration’s expenditure of billions of dollars on boosters, highlighting the lack of concrete evidence regarding their efficacy. DeSantis pointed out that the studies conducted on boosters, including one by Pfizer on mice and another by Moderna on a small sample of 50 humans, have not provided sufficient proof of their benefits. He also raised concerns about the limited duration of these studies.
The interviewer interjected, bringing up the disagreement between DeSantis and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In response, DeSantis questioned the credibility of the CDC, citing their flawed recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled instances where the CDC endorsed masks as a foolproof measure and wrongly claimed that mRNA shots would prevent COVID-19 altogether. This loss of public trust, according to DeSantis, necessitates a thorough examination of the policies implemented during the pandemic, with a focus on holding those responsible accountable.
DeSantis emphasized the need to address the prolonged lockdowns and school closures, particularly the impact they had on children’s education. He questioned the validity of keeping kids out of school for over a year in certain jurisdictions, asserting that such measures lacked scientific justification.
During a recent roundtable discussion hosted by DeSantis, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo expressed reservations about the new COVID-19 booster shot for healthy individuals under 65. Ladapo cited the existing level of immunity in the community, along with concerns about safety and effectiveness, as reasons to reconsider the need for boosters in low-risk populations at this stage of the pandemic.
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC have authorized and recommended the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older, DeSantis’ campaign reiterated his skepticism, stating that Big Pharma has not convincingly demonstrated the benefits of boosters. Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for comment, but no immediate response was received.
As the 2024 campaign trail heats up, Gov. DeSantis’ stance on COVID-19 booster shots continues to generate controversy. With a focus on challenging the authority of institutions like the CDC and questioning the motives of big pharmaceutical companies, DeSantis aims to offer an alternative perspective on pandemic policies and reignite public trust in government decision-making. Only time will tell how voters will respond to his provocative stance on this critical issue..
