CLAIM: Florida has halted COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for men ages 18-39.
AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The state’s surgeon common issued guidance in early October recommending in opposition to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for this demographic. However, men ages 18-39 can still get the photographs in Florida in the event that they select to.
THE FACTS: Claims about Florida’s stance on mRNA COVID-19 vaccines started spreading on social media this week following an look on a web based political present by state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.
Ladapo’s look on “The Kim Iversen Show” was posted to streaming platforms reminiscent of YouTube and Rumble with the title, “Why Florida HALTS Covid mRNA for Men 18-39. Surgeon General Dr. Ladapo Explains.” Neither Iversen nor Ladapo make this declare within the video itself.
An Instagram submit that includes a screenshot of the video had obtained greater than 6,000 likes as of Friday. The video was additionally shared extensively on Twitter with many posting its title of their tweets.
But the title is fake. While Florida has really helpful men in that age group don’t obtain the vaccine, they’re still in a position to.
On Oct. 7, the Florida Department of Health issued updated guidance on mRNA COVID-19 vaccines primarily based on a study it conducted that concluded men ages 18-39 have an 84% better danger of struggling cardiac-related dying inside 28 days after they’re inoculated. “The State Surgeon General now recommends against the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for males ages 18-39 years old,” the steerage said.
Public well being specialists have instructed The Associated Press that the research’s conclusions are flawed, as a result of the analysis didn’t conclusively show the deaths had been associated to the vaccines. They additionally expressed different issues concerning the research, reminiscent of its small pattern measurement and the truth that its authors weren’t named. The research, which has not been revealed or peer-reviewed, additionally notes that its information is “preliminary, based on surveillance data, and should be interpreted with caution.”
(*40*), the Florida Department of Health makes clear on its website that it’s not halting the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to any particular group, together with men 18-39. “All Floridians are eligible to receive any COVID-19 vaccine as authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,” it states on its website.
The state well being company didn’t return a request for remark to the AP. But a spokesperson for pharmacy chain CVS confirmed it’s still providing COVID-19 vaccines to men in that age group. “We offer COVID-19 vaccinations for adults and children ages 5 and up at CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide, including in Florida,” spokesperson Amy Thibault instructed the AP.
Jason Salemi, an affiliate professor of epidemiology on the University of South Florida, confirmed to the AP that he’s not conscious of a statewide rule prohibiting men inside this age vary from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
“I’ve not heard anything about any physician’s office actually saying, ‘no, you cannot get one,’ or outright recommending against that,” he mentioned. “I’m sure you’re going to find variability across physicians who might administer that shot, but I know of no global rule.”
Anyone within the U.S. 6 months and older is eligible to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The CDC has mentioned that there’s a risk of heart inflammation associated to COVID-19 vaccines, significantly amongst youthful males receiving their second dose, however that the instances have been uncommon and comparatively delicate.
“The Kim Iversen Show” didn’t reply to a request for remark.
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This is a part of AP’s effort to handle extensively shared misinformation, together with work with outdoors corporations and organizations so as to add factual context to deceptive content material that’s circulating on-line. Learn extra about fact-checking at AP.