U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Calls for Replacement of Florida Surgeon General Amid Measles Outbreak
In the midst of a growing measles outbreak in South Florida, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has called for the replacement of Florida’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo. At a press conference focused on school safety measures, Wasserman Schultz criticized Ladapo’s handling of the outbreak and urged Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint a public health expert in his place.
The controversy surrounding Ladapo stems from his advice to parents of unvaccinated children. He stated that it is their choice whether their students attend school, contradicting federal guidelines that call for mandatory exclusion of unvaccinated children during an outbreak. Wasserman Schultz referred to Ladapo as a “misinformation super-spreader” during the press conference, expressing her concern over his actions.
To further emphasize the importance of vaccination, Wasserman Schultz invited an epidemiologist to speak at the press conference. The epidemiologist highlighted the dangers of measles and emphasized the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing its spread. This expert opinion aimed to counter any doubts or misinformation surrounding vaccinations.
Additionally, the Legislative Director of the Broward County Council of PTA, representing the largest child advocacy organization in the nation, addressed the press conference. She stressed the need for rigorous cleaning and sanitizing processes in schools and commended Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) for implementing these measures thus far.
As of Tuesday morning, there were nine confirmed cases of measles in Broward County, according to the Florida Department of Health. One of the latest cases involved a child under five years old and was allegedly contracted outside Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, where previous cases had been confirmed.
The outbreak has caused concern among parents and school officials, leading to an increase in student absences. On Monday, 216 students were absent from Manatee Bay Elementary School, a significantly higher number compared to the usual range of about 100 absences for a school of its size.
BCPS Superintendent Peter Licata stated that Manatee Bay Elementary School has a vaccination rate of 92%. With an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students, this means that around 88 students have not received the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella.
While Licata considers the current vaccination rate to be average, pediatric immunologist Dr. Hamadys Ale disagrees. Dr. Ale, who works at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, explains that when there is a drop in herd immunity due to unvaccinated children, the virus can take advantage and infect those who are vulnerable. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect the community from outbreaks.
As the measles outbreak continues to expand in South Florida, the call for a new surgeon general and increased vaccination efforts grows louder. The concerns raised by Wasserman Schultz and the experts at the press conference highlight the need for proactive measures to ensure public health and safety. It is crucial for parents, schools, and government officials to work together in promoting vaccination and preventing the further spread of measles in the community.
