Tell Florida's top health officialStop abusing Jesus's name to oppose vaccines

Posted: Jan. 11, 2024

Despite a new and growing surge of COVID-19 cases, Florida's top health official -- a close ally of Republican presidential candidate Governor Ron DeSantis -- is dangerously invoking God's name to call for a halt in the use of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines.

Shortly after Christmas, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo released his reckless announcement as an official state bulletin. The next day, he appeared on Steve Bannon's far-right radio show to take his conspiracy-mongering even further, calling COVID-19 vaccines "the anti-Christ of all products."

This isn't the first time Ladapo has falsely portrayed Christianity as anti-vaccination: He has also claimed it's "God's plan" for him to speak out against COVID-19 vaccines. In reality, the mRNA vaccines have been used safely by more than 1.5 billion people around the world, saving countless lives. Opposing life and health is not God's plan!

Ladapo's announcement could put the lives of tens of thousands of Floridians in danger -- and the fact that he's pushing these lies in Jesus's hijacked name means that his fellow Christians need to speak out immediately. Let's gather 10,000 pro-vaccine signatures and make it clear that there's a nationwide movement of Christians who oppose Ladapo's harmful views.

Sign the petition:

Dear Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo:

As Florida and the country experience a new surge in COVID-19 cases, we the undersigned are alarmed by your state bulletin calling for a "halt" in the use of COVID-19 vaccines. This bulletin is based on false claims that have been thoroughly discredited by the scientific community.

As your fellow Christians, we are especially offended that you are invoking God to spread anti-vaccine disinformation. Jesus tells us that the truth shall set us free, and the truth is that there is worldwide scientific agreement on the safety and effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which have now been used safely by more than 1.5 billion people around the world and saved millions of lives.

With federal data suggesting that 1 in 3 Americans could contract COVID-19 in this current surge, which will last until mid-February, countless lives are in your hands. Already, Florida's vaccination rates are among the lowest in the country. Loving our neighbors as Jesus taught means valuing their lives and helping them get vaccinated -- and time is of the essence.

We call on you to immediately withdraw your state bulletin and to provide clear and scientifically accurate guidance about the tremendous safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Thank you.

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