COVID Cases rise โคin Ohioโ as Florida Moves to Ban Vaccine Mandates, โCDC Faces Scrutiny
COLUMBUS, OH – September 4,โ 2025 – As COVID-19 cases begin toโข rise in Ohio,โ Florida’s recent announcement to ban vaccine โmandates is drawing sharp criticism from medical professionals โand sparking debate among candidates vying for theโ state’s governorship. The move in Florida, spearheaded by Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapoโค who stated that “every one of them drips with disdain and slavery” regarding vaccine mandates, has prompted concern over potentialโ public healthโข repercussions.
Ohio currentlyโค allows for โreligious and philosophical exemptionsโค to vaccines, but vaccination rates among kindergarteners are at a five-year low, according toโข stateโ officials.A recentโ report indicates the rate of vaccinated โคkindergarteners in the Buckeye State is declining.
Ohio Governor Mike โฃDeWine’s office has stated he has “no immediate comment” on Florida’s decision. Though, Ohio Department of Health director Dr.Bruce Vanderhoff has consistently voiced support for vaccines and theirโ effectiveness in previous public appearances.
Theโ American Medical Association has condemned Florida’s decision, asserting it “would undermine decades โขof public health progress and place children and communities at โฃincreased riskโฆ resulting inโ serious illness, disability, and even โdeath.”โข Columbus Public Health commissionerโ Dr.โ Mysheika Robertsโฃ echoed this sentiment, stating she is “disappointed that political points are overridingโ established science at the expense of the health and โขsafetyโ of children.” Roberts was recently one of โค17 CDC vaccine panelists ousted in June.
Candidates for Ohio’s 2026 gubernatorial race have โฃoffered differing perspectives. Dr. Amy acton, the leading โคDemocratic candidate and former state health department director, called โFlorida’s decision “reckless” and “shameful behavior,” emphasizing that vaccines “keep our children, families and communities safe.”
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Though, Ramaswamy previously stated in 2023 that he โregretted receiving the COVID-19 vaccine andโ alleged the U.S. government “lied” about the vaccines developed โคduring โPresident Donaldโฃ Trump’s first term.