Florida Discourages Use of mRNA Covid Vaccines in Older Adults; Contradicting Experts, Fla. Health Chief Advises Seniors to Avoid mRNA COVID-19 Boosters, and other C-Virus related stories
Florida discourages use of mRNA Covid vaccines in older adults:
In updated guidance to health care providers, Florida health officials advise that “non-mRNA Covid-19 vaccines and treatment” should be prioritized.
Even as the Covid wave in Florida continues, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is once again advising against the mRNA vaccines: this time in the most vulnerable residents.
In updated guidance for health care providers released Thursday, the Florida Health Department and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo questioned the safety and effectiveness of the mRNA Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, including for older adults and people with underlying health problems. “Any provider concerned about the health risks associated with Covid-19 for patients over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions should prioritize patient access to non-mRNA Covid-19 vaccines and treatment,” according to the state guidance.
Standing in opposition to advice from federal health agencies and other medical experts about the safety of the Covid vaccines, the Florida Health Department said the recommendation was based on high rates of immunity from prior infections and “currently available data.”
Without noting the high risk of serious Covid infection or hospitalization for older adults, the guidance listed safety concerns for the mRNA vaccines, including the risk of a rare heart condition called myocarditis, as well as the risk of POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a debilitating heart condition.
Numerous studies have shown that both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are indeed associated with a small but increased risk of myocarditis. However, most cases occur in young men and most people make a full recovery. Studies have also shown that the risk of myocarditis is much higher with a Covid infection and is often more severe than the vaccine-associated condition. —>READ MORE HERE
Contradicting experts, Fla. health chief advises seniors to avoid mRNA COVID-19 boosters
A Florida health official is raising alarms about the safety of the newest versions of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, advising against their use despite endorsements from federal health agencies and other medical experts.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, appointed to the post by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, “advises against the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines” for adults over 65, the most at-risk category, according to seasonal COVID-19 guidance issued by the Florida Department of Health on Thursday.
“Based on the high rate of global immunity and currently available data, the State Surgeon General advises against the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines,” the guidance states. “Any provider concerned about the health risks associated with COVID-19 for patients over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions should prioritize patient access to non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and treatment.”
MRNA vaccines are a newer type of vaccine that work by introducing a piece of genetic material corresponding to a viral protein, thus prompting the patient’s immune system to respond by producing antibodies, while non-mRNA vaccines work by introducing an actual weakened or dead bacteria or virus into the system.
The Novavax vaccine is the only non-mRNA updated COVID vaccine that has been available in the United States, while new versions of mRNA vaccines manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were approved for nationwide distribution by the Food and Drug Administration last month, with FDA officials saying they “meet the agency’s rigorous, scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality.”
Nevertheless, Ladapo listed a series of “safety and efficacy concerns” with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the group of residents most vulnerable to COVID, citing the risk of clinical myocarditis, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, and autoimmune diseases.
The Florida official also noted concerns that elevated levels of mRNA can pose health risks, as well as citing the potential of “DNA integration” affecting the “integrity of the human genome.” —>READ MORE HERE
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