Contradicting federal guidance, Florida will recommend against Covid vaccines for healthy children.

Contradicting steerage from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, Florida will quickly advocate that wholesome kids not get vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19, the state’s surgeon normal, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, introduced on Monday.

“The Florida Division of Well being goes to be the primary state to formally advocate in opposition to the Covid-19 vaccines for wholesome kids,” stated Dr. Ladapo, who has expressed skepticism in regards to the vaccines’ effectiveness.

He made the announcement on the finish of a 90-minute dialogue convened by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, titled “The Curtain Shut on Covid Theater.” (“Watch it earlier than YouTube takes it down,” learn the put up on the governor’s Fb web page linking to video of the occasion, an obvious reference to the removing of coronavirus misinformation from social media platforms.)

In the course of the dialogue, Dr. Ladapo, a DeSantis appointee, and different panelists cited research suggesting restricted or quickly waning safety in opposition to an infection from the coronavirus vaccine in kids, who already had decrease an infection charges than adults.

“We’re type of scraping on the backside of the barrel, notably with wholesome children,” Dr. Ladapo stated.

A number of research have proven that though vaccine efficacy in opposition to an infection wanes over time, the immune response stays extremely protecting in opposition to hospitalization and loss of life, even in opposition to the extremely contagious Omicron variant.

The C.D.C. has urged dad and mom to get their kids vaccinated. “Covid-19 could make kids very sick and trigger kids to be hospitalized,” the company’s web site says. “In some conditions, the problems from an infection can result in loss of life.”

The federal government notes that vaccinating kids may also defend members of the family who aren’t eligible for vaccination — together with kids youthful than 5 — or who’re at elevated threat for critical sickness if contaminated. Extra kids have been hospitalized throughout the Omicron surge than at some other level within the pandemic.

Requested about Florida’s transfer at a White Home information convention on Monday afternoon, the press secretary Jen Psaki stated federal suggestions on vaccines have been vetted so that folks may believe in them.

“It’s deeply disturbing that there are politicians peddling conspiracy theories on the market and casting doubt on vaccination when it’s our greatest software in opposition to the virus and the perfect software to stop even youngsters from being hospitalized,” she stated.

Most public well being specialists disagree with how shortly Florida dropped virus mitigation measures; greater than 70,000 folks have died in complete. However Mr. DeSantis has solely develop into extra strident in his method over time. The governor and Dr. Ladapo have appeared to step up their campaign in opposition to what they’ve characterised as pointless and dangerous pandemic insurance policies ever for the reason that Florida Senate confirmed the surgeon normal to his job final month.

The day after the affirmation vote, the 2 males issued new virus pointers that they stated would “buck” the C.D.C. These pointers included urging companies to not require workers to put on masks.

Final week, Mr. DeSantis angrily confronted a bunch of highschool college students at an occasion organized by the governor’s workplace over the masks the scholars have been carrying whereas standing behind his lectern.

“You should not have to put on these masks,” he scolded them. “I imply, please take them off. Truthfully, it’s not doing something, and we’ve obtained to cease with this Covid theater. So if you wish to put on it, wonderful, however that is ridiculous.”

Video capturing the second went viral. Mr. DeSantis’s marketing campaign seized on the chance to boost funds for his re-election.

Adeel Hassan contributed reporting.