state surgeon general

Dr. Scott Rivkees, a pediatrician who served as surgeon general from 2019 to 2021 during the COVID pandemic, says the state is going backward when it comes to childhood vaccines.

In a Sept. 7 interview on CNN’s "State of the Union," Ladapo told host Jake Tapper that his department didn’t study how ending the vaccine requirements could affect children’s health or future outbreaks.

Florida’s Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said the state’s health department will end "every single" school vaccine mandate. Ladapo, who has a history of spreading inaccurate vaccine claims, equated the state’s vaccine requirements with slavery.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo also praised the federal government's decision in May to no longer recommend COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.

As the Food and Drug Administration weighs approval of COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 5, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is opposed to the potential change.

Dr. Scott Rivkees contradicts much of the evidence given by Florida’s health department in recommending that healthy children need not be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Children with underlying health conditions should consider taking the vaccine and parents "are encouraged to discuss the risks and benefits" with their doctor.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointment of Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo was confirmed Wednesday by the Senate, despite objections from Democrats who criticized his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Only a few states have a surgeon general. Florida has had one since 2007, but critics say the job serving as the top advocate for wellness and disease prevention has changed because of state politics.

During the hearing, Democrats on the committee became frustrated as they rephrased and re-asked questions, but said they felt they weren’t getting a direct response. Despite the protest, Republicans in the Senate Health Policy Committee voted to give Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo their support.

Joseph Ladapo made the comments following the Biden administration's plan to make more at-home coronavirus tests available, while Gov. Ron DeSantis pointed to residents who get tested "multiple times per week" without symptoms.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the state's top medical officer, upset legislators from both parties after refusing to wear a mask when speaking to a state senator with breast cancer and state regulators approve FPL rate increase.