Florida’s top doctor refuses to say if he’s vaccinated

FILE - Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo gestures as speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. A former supervisor of Ladapo declined to recommend him to lead the state's health department during a background check, records show. Ladapo, appointed in September by DeSantis, has drawn scrutiny over his alignment with the governor in resisting coronavirus vaccine mandates and other virus policies embraced by federal health officials. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) (Chris O'Meara, Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

TALLAHASEE, Fla. – Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo declined to disclose whether he has received a coronavirus vaccine during a contentious confirmation hearing where Democrats pressed the state’s top doctor to promote the shots.

Ladapo, appointed in September by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, has attracted national scrutiny over his close alignment with the governor in opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other health policies.

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During a confirmation hearing Tuesday, Democrats grew visibly frustrated with Ladapo.

Republicans on the committee later approved Ladapo’s confirmation.

He must now receive approval from the full Senate before he is officially confirmed.

DeSantis’ office has confirmed that the governor is vaccinated against COVID-19, but he has refused to confirm whether he would receive or has already received a COVID-19 booster shot, calling the decision for Floridians a “private matter.”

“That’s something that I think people should just make their own decisions on,” the governor said. “I’m not going to let that be a weapon for people to be able to use. I think it’s a private matter.”


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