Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida's Broward County is calling for the resignation of the Surgeon General of Florida due to his opposition to vaccinations and spreading of misinformation. The Surgeon General's actions have come under scrutiny following a measles outbreak in the congresswoman's district, where an elementary school is located.
Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz emphasized the importance of providing scientifically supported information to parents to ensure the safety of children. She criticized the Surgeon General for deviating from CDC guidelines by not recommending unvaccinated children to stay home and failing to declare a public emergency.
The Surgeon General's controversial stance on vaccinations has fueled vaccine hesitancy in Florida, leading to a lower vaccination rate of 92% in Broward County instead of the 95% required for herd immunity. His past actions, including altering a state study on COVID vaccines and discouraging COVID vaccination, have raised concerns about public health decisions.
Measles, a highly contagious disease, was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to high vaccination rates and established protocols. The current measles outbreak has caused distress among parents in the affected community, with uncertainty about the well-being of infected children.
Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz highlighted the potential impact of the measles outbreak on tourism in Florida, the state's primary industry. She urged for the immediate resignation or termination of the Surgeon General to safeguard public health and prevent further spread of the disease.
The ongoing outbreak necessitates continued monitoring as the infection period lasts 21 days. The congresswoman stressed the urgency of addressing the situation promptly to protect the community from further risks.
