The Louisiana Department of Health announced this week it no longer will promote mass vaccinations in the state, saying the move was necessary to “rebuild trust.”
In a letter released Thursday, Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman cited the promotion of vaccine use as one of several “COVID missteps” that necessitate the rebuilding of public trust.
“There are some appropriate examples of government recommendations, such as encouraging routine screenings like colonoscopies or Pap smears and facilitating access, especially for the poor,” the letter stated.
“But promotion of specific pharmaceutical products rises to a different level, especially when the manufacturer is exempt from liability for harms caused by the drug, as is the case for many vaccines.”
Abraham and Wyche called for the rejection of what they called a “utilitarian approach” and argued medical decisions should remain between doctors and patients, saying, “Government should admit the limitations of its role in people’s lives and pull back its tentacles from the practice of medicine.”
“Perhaps there are some treatments that every human being should take, but they are few and far between, and things that are good generally don’t have to be pushed by the government,” they added.
Under Louisiana state law, childhood vaccinations are required for children to attend schools and day cares, including shots for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
The letter was issued the same day that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine advocate, was confirmed as Health and Human Services secretary.
