Written by Dan Whitcomb

(Reuters) – A top Florida health official stated Monday that the state will not recommend the COVID-19 vaccination for children under the age of five, in violation of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

The announcement was made by Dr. Joseph Lapado, Florida’s surgeon general. He cited research that found few COVID deaths in healthy children as well as elevated risks among boys who have received the side effects of myocarditis vaccine.

Lapado stated that the Florida Department of Health was going to be the first to recommend against COVID 19 vaccinations for healthy children during the panel’s more than 90 minute discussion.

A study done last week using New York State health records showed that while the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is less effective in preventing infections in children aged five to eleven than older ones, it still reduced hospitalizations by approximately 50%.

In January, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Report found that vaccines were 91% effective in preventing children from developing rare and often severe conditions. These include organ inflammation that occurs weeks after COVID-19 infected kids.

Despite a decline in hospitalizations and infections nationwide after January’s winter peak, the CDC strongly recommends that children under 5 years old be inoculated. There is also evidence to suggest that the vaccine has not been as effective against Omicron variant.

Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson said that Lapado’s remarks were deeply troubling.

DeSantis is a Republican who has been frequently named as a possible 2024 Presidential candidate. He often fought with Biden over restrictions and COVID mandates.

Reuters was referred to the existing recommendation by the CDC.