Florida Health Officials Issue Warning About New mRNA COVID Booster Shots

On Sept. 12, 2024, the Florida Surgeon General and Department of Health provided guidance on 2024/2025 COVID-19 boosters stating that medical providers concerned about the health risks associated with COVID disease for patients over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions should prioritize patient access to non-mRNA COVID shots and treatment.¹

Florida’s Surgeon General Opposes Federal Health Agencies COVID Guidelines

Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, MD, PHD and Florida Health Department officials are basing opposition to recent COVID booster shot use recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the fact that there are high individual and community immunity levels from previous SARS-CoV-2 infections and lack of evidence for COVID shot safety based on currently available data.²

The Florida Department of Health pointed out that…

• the latest COVID booster shot was authorized without clinical trial data performed in human beings and does not provide protection against the predominant SARS-CoV-2 strain, which represents around 37 percent of infections in the United States,
• there is currently insufficient information to determine whether the latest boosters provide significant protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its current variants,
• and although randomized clinical trials are typically necessary for approving treatments, the federal government has not required that COVID shot manufacturers provide evidence that boosters prevent hospitalizations or fatalities from the infection.³

Florida health officials also stated that the federal government has not provided adequate data to validate the safety of COVID boosters, nor has it addressed previously identified safety issues related to COVID shots, such as the prolonged presence of mRNA and spike protein in certain recipients; heightened risk of lower respiratory tract infections; and elevated risk of autoimmune diseases following mRNA COVID shots.⁴

Safety and Efficacy Concerns of mRNA COVID Shots

The Florida Health Department officials are encouraging medical providers and patients to be aware that mRNA COVID shots present a risk of myocarditis (heart inflammation) and other cardiovascular conditions in healthy individuals. They also warn that the mRNA COVID shots may be associated with an increased risk of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), as well as may be associated with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. In addition, they warn that there is unknown risk of potential adverse reactions with each additional dose of the mRNA COVID shot.⁵

Dr. Ladapo recommends that people in his state can reduce the risk of chronic illness (that generally tends to be risk factor for severe COVID infection), by prioritizing physical activity, limiting processed foods, consuming healthy fats and fresh produce and spending time outside to maintain vitamin D levels.⁶

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