Florida
Florida Surgeon General Discusses Measles Outbreak and Vaccine Concerns
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo suggested Friday that opposition to abortion could have helped fuel a measles outbreak in Florida since many cases are tied to a private Roman Catholic college. Federal data show Florida had 141 confirmed measles cases…
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Key points
- Florida ranks fifth in the nation for confirmed measles cases, with 141 reported as of July 23.
- Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo links some cases to Ave Maria University, where vaccination rates may be lower.
- Medical professionals strongly recommend the MMR vaccine to prevent further spread of measles.
NewsWK — Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, addressed the media on Friday regarding a recent surge in measles cases in the state, which has recorded 141 confirmed infections as of July 23, ranking Florida fifth in the nation. Notably, a significant number of these cases are linked to Ave Maria University, a private Roman Catholic institution in Collier County, where 93 cases have been reported.
During a press conference in Orlando, Dr. Ladapo was questioned about his concerns related to the rising measles numbers and what advice he would offer to Florida families. Initially, he emphasized the necessity of vaccination, stating, “Oh no. Everyone’s got to take a vaccine.” However, he later suggested a potential connection between the vaccine’s development and the university students’ choices not to vaccinate, mentioning that the measles vaccine is derived from cell lines originally obtained from aborted fetal tissue.
Dr. Ladapo remarked, “You know, for some people… whether there’s a connection between the fact that some of the students at this university chose not to receive that vaccine, and it happens to be a vaccine that is related to the practice of abortion, I’m not sure.” This statement reflects ongoing debates surrounding vaccine ethics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that measles is highly contagious, spreading through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To achieve herd immunity and protect the community, it is recommended that 95% of the population is vaccinated against measles.
Currently, 89% of kindergarten students in Florida for the 2024-25 academic year are up to date with their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations. Meanwhile, medical professionals, including Dr. Toluwalasè A. Ajayi, chair of the American Medical Association, are urging families to vaccinate to curb the outbreak, stating, “The MMR vaccine has protected our communities for decades. There is no cure for measles, but vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent it.”
Dr. Ladapo and Governor Ron DeSantis have previously advocated for the removal of vaccine mandates in Florida, a topic that continues to be relevant as the state grapples with rising measles cases.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Christine Sexton originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
