Florida discourages use of mRNA Covid vaccines in older adults

At the same time as the Covid wave in Florida continues, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is once more advising against the mRNA vaccines: this time in essentially the most vulnerable residents.

In updated guidance for health care providers released Thursday, the Florida Health Department and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo questioned the protection and effectiveness of the mRNA Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, including for older adults and folks with underlying health problems. “Any provider concerned concerning the health risks related to Covid-19 for patients over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions should prioritize patient access to non-mRNA Covid-19 vaccines and treatment,” in keeping with the state guidance.

Standing in opposition to advice from federal health agencies and other medical examiners concerning the safety of the Covid vaccines, the Florida Health Department said the suggestion was based on high rates of immunity from prior infections and “currently available data.”

Without noting the high risk of significant Covid infection or hospitalization for older adults, the guidance listed safety concerns for the mRNA vaccines, including the danger of a rare heart condition called myocarditis, in addition to the danger of POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a debilitating heart condition. 

Quite a few studies have shown that each Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are indeed related to a small but increased risk of myocarditis. Nevertheless, most cases occur in young men and most of the people make a full recovery. Studies have also shown that the danger of myocarditis is far higher with a Covid infection and is usually more severe than the vaccine-associated condition.

A study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research​ also found that folks diagnosed with Covid are five times more prone to develop POTS after infection than after Covid vaccination, emphasizing the importance of the vaccine.

Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Kid’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said the Florida surgeon general’s guidance is unnecessarily alarming people concerning the Covid vaccines.

“It’s just such a dangerous game he plays,” said Offit, who has served on the FDA’s independent vaccine advisory committee. “You simply have a roughly 1,000 times greater likelihood of dying [from Covid] should you’re over 65 than should you’re under 18.”

“The mRNA vaccines are remarkably protected,” he added.

Latest doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in August. They’re targeted to the KP.2 version of the steadily mutating virus and may provide good protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death, experts say. 

The US offers just one Covid vaccine that won’t mRNA-based: Novavax. Novavax’s traditional protein-based shot offers an alternate vaccine technology to mRNA.  

In a press release, a Novavax spokesperson said its updated vaccine is now available at hundreds of retail and pharmacy locations nationwide.

The Florida Health Department didn’t immediately reply to a request for added comment. 

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist on the University of Toronto, called Florida’s suggestion “unlucky,” saying it could put older adults and folks with underlying health conditions in danger.

“While the vaccine doesn’t protect against infection nearly in addition to it once did, there is superb data demonstrating how Covid vaccines can reduce the danger of severe manifestations of the virus in those that are at best risk,” said Boguch, who has no ties to the vaccine makers. 

Covid cases remain high within the U.S. following a summer wave. Wastewater data collected between Aug. 25 and Aug. 31 shows that 23 states — including Florida — are reporting “very high” levels of the virus, in keeping with the CDC. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations remain elevated as well, although they’re showing signs of declining. In Florida nursing homes, after declining from summer highs, Covid infections are ticking up again, in keeping with CDC data. 

The CDC currently recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get an updated Covid vaccine this fall from any of the three options. 

This is not the primary time Ladapo has ignored CDC guidance. Last yr, Ladapo also beneficial that Florida residents under the age of 65 not get the mRNA Covid vaccines, citing widespread immunity and “questions we’ve got about safety and about effectiveness.”

“My judgment is that it isn’t a superb decision for young people and for individuals who aren’t at high risk at this point within the pandemic,” he said.