Louisiana’s Department of Health employees have been instructed to stop promoting common vaccinations, including COVID-19, influenza, and MPox. The state has shifted its policy on vaccines over several months, with officials asking for the change to be implemented quietly.
Employees who spoke to NPR reported being barred from posting notices about available vaccines, promoting inoculations, or giving press interviews encouraging the public to seek them. This policy affects over 6,500 health officials in the state.
The move has been met with criticism from medical professionals, who say it is “shameful and reckless.” Louisiana pediatrician Kim Mukerjee stated that the state’s decision “breaks down our public health infrastructure” and undermines efforts to combat vaccine misinformation.
Louisiana has reported high rates of flu symptoms this season, with respiratory illnesses outpacing national averages. The policy change comes as the federal government prepares for a potential shift in vaccine guidelines, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. set to play a key role in shaping the nation’s health policy.
Source: https://www.salon.com/2024/12/20/louisiana-department-of-health-ordered-to-stop-promotion-of-vaccines