25th State Health Officer & Surgeon General of the great state of Florida. Father of three. Runner. Advocate for healthy living.
Joined October 2021
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Visited Brevard and Okeechobee counties yesterday. Thank you to our local health teams for their continued dedication to supporting Floridians, especially during challenging times like the flooding that affected central and east Florida.
Brian rocks! We will miss you, man, and the CDC is lucky to have you on their team!
As my time at the Florida Department of Health comes to a close, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of Florida.
It was an honor to work directly for @GovRonDeSantis, the most effective governor in Florida history, and serve in his administration. I’ll always be grateful that he brought me on and gave me that opportunity. I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.
I’m equally grateful to have worked for @FLSurgeonGen Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, who I believe is the nation’s best State Surgeon General. His leadership and commitment to defending parental rights and protecting medical freedom have left a lasting impact on Florida’s public health landscape. It was a privilege to serve alongside him and his team.
To my colleagues at @HealthyFla, thank you for your friendship, dedication, and commitment to serving Floridians. I’m proud of what we accomplished together and look forward to what lies ahead.
As I said in January 2024, no one should be taking mRNA COVID-19 vaccines because of their terrible safety profile. But for those who had to take one, Florida’s public health data strongly implies that thousands of Floridians died as a result of receiving Pfizer instead of Moderna. The number of lives lost in the U.S. and internationally is staggering, based on this analysis. The culture of approving vaccines without adequate safety testing and assuming “innocent until proven guilty” with these products absolutely, positively needs to end.
“Twelve-month all-cause mortality after initial COVID-19 vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech or mRNA-1273 among adults living in Florida: Statewide cohort study”
Now appears as peer-reviewed study in Global Epidemiology!
In closely matched cohorts of nearly 2M Moderna & Pfizer vaccinees in Florida, the latter (Pfizer) showed substantial higher all-cause, cardiac, non-COVID and COVID mortality post 1st mRNA COVID vaccine dose.
These results were robust to adjustments on pre-vaccination cardiac hospitalizations as well as SARS-CoV-2 infections.
This study adds to a growing evidence that the mRNA COVID vaccines of Moderna and Pfizer may have different non-specific effects.
Recent study “In Vivo Blood Kinetics and Transcript Integrity of Three mRNA–Lipid Nanoparticle Vaccines in Humans” @acsnano showed significant differences in systemic persistence of nano-lipids and spike mRNA between Moderna and Pfizer mRNA COVID vaccines!
@MaryanneDemasi @FLSurgeonGen
Pull-ups and dips are some of my favorite strength-building exercises in the gym. Stay strong, Florida. HealthierYouFL.org
When I’m on the road, getting in a good swim is one of the ways I stay healthy and energized. Keep moving Florida. HealthierYouFL.org
Parental rights and public health go hand-in-hand. Parents make choices about their children’s nutrition, exercise, and educational habits every day—and these are far more important predictors of population health than vaccine mandates. Removing these mandates is good policy and we’re sticking to it.
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo delivered a masterclass response to a lawyer challenging his decision to end four vaccine mandates.
Attorney Simone Chriss claimed it would have a “devastating impact.”
This was his response:
“I understand you’re not a clinician or a physician.”
“Did you say devastating impact?”
Chriss: “I did.”
Dr. Ladapo: “There are other states in this country that do not mandate three of the vaccines that we’re removing.”
“There are many, many countries that don’t mandate any vaccines.”
“Canada.”
“Australia.”
“Denmark.”
“Sweden.”
“The United Kingdom.”
“Many of these countries actually have life expectancies that are longer than this country has.”
“It’s actually sort of perverse to think that you could separate parental rights from public health.”
“Engaged parents are the reason that children eat healthier diets.”
“Engaged parents are the reason that children exercise.”
“Engaged parents are the reason that children go to school and learn, which is a huge predictor of future health.”
“This idea of a devastating impact, I mean, talk about not supported by evidence.”
Florida is refusing to back down from their plan to end mandates for Hep B, chickenpox, Hib, and pneumococcal shots.
@FLSurgeonGen @HealthyFla
Rooting out potential carcinogens in our food supply is incredibly important for the health of children. We're very proud to stand alongside @AGJamesUthmeier and our state partners to protect Floridians.
Today, we expanded our investigation into potassium bromate, a possible cancer-causing agent, in Florida’s food chain.
Performance Food Group is one of the largest buyers in this chain. Floridians have a right to know what was sold, who bought it, and whether anyone was told that these products contain a chemical much of the world has already banned.
myfloridalegal.com/newsrelea…
Supporting parent rights = more engagement in children’s health, and that translates into better public health. Thank you, @theHFDF!
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo just delivered a fierce defense of his decision to end vaccine mandates for Hep B, chickenpox, Hib, and pneumococcal.
Bookmark this.
“Parental rights … absolutely need to be protected.”
“It’s not a debate.”
“They’re immutable.”
“We’re not having a debate over what the herd immunity thresholds are.”
“We’re not having a debate over the effectiveness of these different vaccines, which vary.”
“We’re not having a debate over the safety of these different vaccines, which varies.”
“Herd immunity isn’t constant for different vaccines.”
“Some vaccines may protect against illness, but may not protect against transmission.”
“To advance the goals of public health, one of the things is that we need to respect … parental rights.”
“That’s been lost, unfortunately, in the conversation about public health recently.”
“We’re not actually doing anything very new.”
“We’re sort of falling back to classic tenets of public health.”
@FLSurgeonGen @HealthyFla
The Florida Department of Health is proud to stand alongside @AGJamesUthmeier in support of protecting Florida's children from online predators. I believe the best policy for our children is to avoid these spaces altogether, but when we can’t, exercise vigilance.
Today, we sued social gaming app Discord for deceiving Florida families and exposing children to predators.
Discord told parents safety was “at the core of everything we do.” But we see many cases of child predators luring kids to Discord chats. If you market your platform as safe for our kids and fail to protect them, Florida will hold you accountable.
myfloridalegal.com/newsrelea…
I’m proud of the Florida Department of Health emergency response teams across our state whose work through ESF 8 helps ensure Florida is ready to respond when it matters most.
Way to go, team!
⭐️ ESF 8: Health & Medical ⭐️
Emergency Support Function 8 is making sure Floridians impacted by Hurricane #Isaias have access to the medical care & resources they need!
Led by @HealthyFla, alongside @AHCA_FL & other partners, ESF 8:
🚑 Moves medical personnel & resources where they’re needed
🏥 Supports hospitals & healthcare facilities
❤️ Connects vulnerable Floridians with care
Together, our partners are helping restore essential health services & support communities as they recover. 🤝
An important part of storm cleanup is mosquito prevention. Stop them at the source by draining standing water, covering skin with clothing, and using insect repellent.
Remember: Spray, Cover, Drain!
Heavy rain can leave standing water in yards, containers, tires, gutters, and other places around our homes. Even small amounts of water can provide mosquitoes with a place to breed. As mosquito activity increases, taking steps to prevent bites and reduce mosquito breeding becomes especially important.
SPRAY to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
COVER your skin and containers that hold water.
DRAIN standing water whenever it is safe to do so.
These simple actions can help reduce mosquitoes around your home and lower the opportunity for mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue to spread.
For our Floridians recovering from the hurricane, here are some safety tips below.
When it’s safe to begin storm cleanup after #HurricaneIsaias, keep these important safety tips in mind:
❗️ Watch for downed power lines and sharp debris.
❗️ Use ladders on stable, level ground.
❗️ Wear gloves and appropriate protective gear while cleaning.
❗️ Remove wet materials within 24–48 hours to help prevent mold growth.
❗️ Avoid contact with floodwaters, which may contain hazardous contaminants.
⚠️ If you find displaced or injured pets or wildlife, contact local animal services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. Avoid approaching or handling injured wildlife.
Stay alert and put safety first as you clean up after the storm.
After the storm, flooding can continue to pose serious risks. Floodwaters can contain harmful bacteria, viruses and other hazards. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters, and keep children and pets away from flooded areas. Even shallow water can be dangerous.
Stay alert and stay safe.
As Hurricane Isaias nears landfall in Florida, we encourage everyone to stay informed, follow guidance from local emergency officials, and take the necessary precautions to protect you and your loved ones.
Be prepared. Stay safe, Florida. FloridaHealth.gov/Emergency
With severe weather approaching, now is the time to prepare your household and review your emergency plan. Save this post so you can access these important safety tips when you need them.
KNOW WHERE TO TURN FOR UPDATES
Florida disaster updates: @FLSERT
Local weather alerts: @NWS
Florida public health information: @HealthyFla
A QUICK REMINDER: Follow instructions from local officials, and evacuate when directed. If you or someone in your household needs extra assistance, make a plan before conditions worsen.
Screenshot this post and share it with your family and friends. Stay safe, Florida.
Today’s public hearing was an important step toward increasing parents’ engagement in public health when it comes to vaccines. We need fewer mandates, more informed decision-making.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made their voice heard.
Today, the Florida Department of Health held a public hearing on proposed changes for immunization requirements for public and nonpublic schools.
Public engagement is an important part of the rulemaking process as Florida considers public health and freedom of choice.
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated.
Floridians, please review your emergency plan, check your supplies, and make sure you have the medications and medical essentials you and your family may need.
Today, I signed Executive Order 26-202, declaring a state of emergency for 25 counties in preparation for Tropical Depression Nine.
This order ensures communities have the time and resources necessary to prepare for potential severe weather impacts to the Panhandle and Big Bend region of Florida.
Floridians should have their plans in place, keep emergency supply kits fully stocked, and follow @FLSERT for weather updates and preparedness information.
Pharmaceutical companies have paid billions in settlements and fines for deceptive marketing. @AGJamesUthmeier, thank you for holding them accountable.
Weeks ago we learned Fauci and the biomedical state knew the COVID jabs were dangerous but hid it from us.
While that investigation continues, today we sued Pfizer for deceptively marketing the products as safe—making billions—while pregnant women were miscarrying their babies and teenagers were having heart attacks.
Wonderful to have Dr. @MarieABragg join us at the Florida Department of Health for a Grand Rounds presentation exploring how Al, social media, and the promotion of unhealthy foods and products is affecting children's health.
Great reporting by @bmj_latest.
A new BMJ investigation is shedding light on what was happening behind the scenes of COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring.
In early 2021, FDA officials were warned that the agency’s data-mining method could miss potential safety signals. An FDA medical officer proposed an updated approach, but officials declined to change the system and later asked her to stop producing COVID-19 vaccine adverse-event analyses.
The existing method failed to flag myocarditis, pericarditis, tinnitus and other reported conditions.
The vaccine-injured community deserved, and continues to deserve, safety monitoring capable of identifying potential signals and ensuring they are thoroughly investigated.
Read the full investigation from The BMJ: bmj.com/content/394/bmj-2026…
