Scott Rivkees

In the wake of measles cases at a Broward school, Florida's surgeon general writes that the Department of Health “is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance” without urging the need for MMR vaccinations.

Dr. Scott Rivkees contradicts much of the evidence given by Florida’s health department in recommending that healthy children need not be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Only a few states have a surgeon general. Florida has had one since 2007, but critics say the job serving as the top advocate for wellness and disease prevention has changed because of politics.

A broader hearing in the case is scheduled to start next Tuesday. The judge raised the possibility that the hearing might have to be delayed if he decides former Surgeon General Scott Rivkees should be deposed.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo, a professor with the University of Florida College of Medicine. says vaccination "has been treated as a religion" and is not the only path to good health.

The deposition was sought by attorneys for school boards and parties challenging a Department of Health rule that requires parents to be able to “opt out” their children from mask mandates.

The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Health violated public records laws at a time when the delta variant has caused cases, hospitalizations and deaths to surge.

Scott Rivkees announced he will leave his post as surgeon general and secretary of the Florida Department of Health next month. But the move comes amid a surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

A U.S. district judge granted the preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the state’s “vaccine passport” ban, which was signed into law in May by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Gov. Ron DeSantis let an executive order declaring a public health emergency expire Saturday, and with it many regulatory flexibilities providers received during the pandemic including those related to telehealth.