President Donald Trump praised Florida’s decision to eliminate vaccine mandates for students, describing it as a “tough stance” while emphasizing the importance of certain vaccines.
Former President Donald Trump expressed support for Florida’s recent move to eliminate all state vaccine mandates for students, calling it a “tough stance.” His comments came during a press briefing on Friday, where he highlighted the effectiveness of certain vaccines.
“I think we have to be very careful. You have some vaccines that are so amazing. The polio vaccine, I happen to think, is amazing,” Trump stated, referencing the historical significance of vaccines in preventing diseases. He also praised the COVID-19 vaccine developed during his administration, describing it as “amazing.”
Trump continued, “You have some vaccines that are so incredible, and I think you have to be very careful when you say that some people don’t have to be vaccinated. It’s a very tough position … it’s a tough stance.” He emphasized that there are “vaccines that work,” asserting their importance in public health.
In a recent announcement, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo revealed plans to eliminate all vaccine mandates in the state. During a news conference, Ladapo compared vaccine requirements to slavery, stating, “All of them, every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery.” He characterized vaccine mandates as “wrong” and “immoral.”
Ladapo indicated that the Florida Department of Health would repeal mandates under his authority, while additional legislative action would be necessary to address other requirements. Currently, Florida mandates vaccinations for students against diseases such as polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, pertussis, mumps, and tetanus. However, parents have the option to request exemptions on religious grounds.
Across the United States, all states and Washington, D.C., require vaccinations for children to attend school. In recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in vaccination rates among children.
In a controversial statement, Ladapo referred to the COVID-19 vaccine as “poison,” following its removal from the recommended list for healthy children by the federal government under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He questioned the authority of government officials to dictate personal health choices, saying, “Who am I as a government or anyone else, who am I as a man standing here now, to tell you what you should put in your body?”
Ladapo further emphasized individual choice, stating, “You want to put whatever different vaccines in your body, God bless you. I hope you make an informed decision. You don’t want to put whatever vaccines in your body, God bless you. I hope you make an informed decision. That’s how it should be.”
Trump’s endorsement of Florida’s decision reflects a broader debate on vaccine mandates and personal freedom, as public health measures continue to evolve in response to changing circumstances.
Source: Original article