Florida’s Surgeon General is warning against getting an updated mRNA COVID-19 booster. In a statement issued on Sep. 12, Dr. Joseph Ladapo said the federal government has not provided sufficient data to support the safety and efficacy of the shot or acknowledged previously demonstrated safety concerns related to COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
These concerns include prolonged circulation of mRNA and spike protein, the increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, and an increased risk of autoimmune disease following vaccination.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 22 approved updated versions of Pfizer and Moderna’s modified RNA (mRNA) vaccines for people 12 and older and authorized for emergency use the vaccines for children aged 6 months to 11 years. The vaccine targets an almost obsolete variant and does not protect against the dominant strain of the virus, which accounts for roughly 37% of infections in the United States.
Like the boosters that came before it, the FDA approved the new formulas even though human clinical trials had not been performed. Moreover, there was also little data presented showing the boosters offer substantial protection against the virus or subsequent circulating variants.
“Although randomized clinical trials are normally used to approve therapeutics, the federal government has not required COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to demonstrate their boosters prevent hospitalizations or death from COVID-19 illness,” the Florida Department of Health said in updated guidance.
Any healthcare provider concerned about the health risks associated with COVID-19 in people over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions are advised to use non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines or treatments.
In the name of informed consent, Ladapo said providers and patients should be aware of the following concerns related to the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines:
- The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines carry a risk of subclinical and clinical myocarditis and other cardiovascular conditions among otherwise healthy individuals.
- The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be associated with an increased risk of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Pots is a chronic disorder of the autonomic nervous system that causes a rapid heart rate increase when standing up. Symptoms of POTS include lightheadedness, difficulty thinking or concentrating, severe and long-lasting fatigue, intolerance to exercise, blurred vision, low blood pressure, heart palpitations, tremors, and nausea.
Since the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, 1,009 cases of POTS were reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System as of Aug 30, 2024. This includes 753 cases attributed to Pfizer and 218 cases to Moderna.
- The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be associated with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.
- Studies have found that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are associated with negative effectiveness after four to six months and that vaccinated individuals are at an increased risk for infection as efficacy wanes.
- Elevated levels of spike protein and mRNA from COVID-19 vaccines may persist in some individuals for an extended period, potentially posing health risks.
- The potential integration of DNA from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines could present significant risks to human health and the integrity of the human genome. This includes the possibility that DNA integrated into sperm or egg cells could be inherited by the offspring of vaccine recipients, raising concerns about long-term genetic implications.
- The potential risks of receiving multiple mRNA vaccine doses is entirely unknown. Many Individuals have received five to seven vaccine doses—and counting—of this vaccine over a three-year period.
To help prevent COVID-19, Ladapo and the Department of Health recommend adopting healthy habits that reduce the risk factors for severe disease, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. This includes staying physically active, minimizing processed foods, consuming healthy vegetables and fats, and spending time outdoors to increase vitamin D levels.
