Florida Department of Health spokesperson Jeremy Redfern said Ladapo was not immediately available to answer questions.
More than 15 million people in Florida have become vaccinated against Covid-19 since the first doses arrived in December 2020. Even DeSantis, at one point, promoted the vaccine as a way to slow the spread of the virus, which has killed roughly 71,000 people in the state since the first infections were reported two years ago.
On Monday, another grim milestone was reported: More than 6 million people worldwide have died from Covid-19.
DeSantis’ public support for the vaccine faded over the summer as the deadly Delta variant swept through Florida and the nation, leading to overcrowded hospitals and killing more than 10,000 people in the state alone in just a few months. Rather than pushing vaccinations, DeSantis focused for weeks on treatments like monoclonal antibody cocktails for people already infected by the virus.
DeSantis has also led very high-profile fights against the Biden administration over mandating vaccines for health workers and large businesses. Over the fall, DeSantis pressed Florida lawmakers to hold a special legislative session to enact rules prohibiting such requirements.
DeSantis’ approach to the pandemic has the support of Ladapo, and both agree that healthy children are the least likely to face consequences from infection.