Fox contributor Dr Marc Siegel slams 'vilification' of new Covid booster, but adds caveat
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: Dr Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, slammed the "vilification" of a new Covid booster after Florida’s Surgeon General advised against taking the shot.
Joseph Ladapo, 44, was speaking at a "Mandate Freedom" press conference in Jacksonville on Thursday, September 6 when he claimed there was no evidence to support getting the booster.
As of now, the modified vaccines, which target the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, are awaiting FDA clearance on quality, safety, and efficacy requirements. After that, they must gain CDC approval, which may come as soon as Tuesday, September 12.
"There’s a new vaccine that’s coming around the corner, a new mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, and there’s essentially no evidence for it," said Ladapo, according to Fox News.
What does Joseph Lapado say about the new Covid-19 booster vaccine?
Addressing the public, the Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo claimed that the new Covid booster vaccine "actually causes cardiac injury in many people."
He stated, "These new RNA COVID-19 vaccines include the fact that they actually cause cardiac injury in many people … call it subclinical myocarditis, its clinical significance is really unknown."
In addition, Lapado noted that several studies have demonstrated how immunizations raise a person's risk of contracting Covid-19, adding, "There are a lot of red flags."
He then advised Floridians to make decisions for themselves rather than listen to "very educated people telling you what you should think."
"When they try to convince you to be comfortable and agree with things that don’t feel comfortable, [that] don’t feel like things you should agree with, that is a sign, right? That’s a gift," said Lapado and he urged people to adopt healthy nutrition habits, instead of relying on vaccines.
What did Dr Marc Siegel say in support of new Covid booster?
Following Joseph Ladapo’s comments, Dr Marc Siegel, who is also a Fox News medical contributor, pointed out that vaccines "have been given to trillions around the world, and in the vast majority of cases, they are safe."
"Physicians with knowledge of vaccines should be involved in deciding the risk/benefit for their patients and offering advice, but it is ultimately up to the individual," stated Dr Siegel to Fox News Digital.
"For younger, healthier patients with intact immune systems and a foundation of immune memory against SARS-CoV-2 from prior vaccines and infection, I may choose to not recommend an additional booster at this time," continued he.
Dr Siegel added, "But vilifying it is a dangerous move that undermines patient choice and the vaccine as one of my most important tools."
The doctor also advised prioritizing vaccinations for high-risk populations, such as senior citizens and those with obesity, diabetes, chronic heart disease, lung illness, and cancer.
"The new version that targets the XBB 1.5 subvariant, which is still about 20% of cases, has also been shown to be effective against the emerging EG.5 and BA.2.86 subvariants," said Dr Siegel.
The doctor pointed out that although it is not a completely new vaccine, it has some improvement over the original.
"There is no reason for full clinical trials prior to use," noted Dr Siegel, continuing, "We will quickly amass new data. It is no longer an experimental vaccine."
He also stated that the vaccination reduces the chance of extended Covid and that there is a far larger danger of myocarditis from catching the disease than from getting the shot.
"Covid is still a nasty virus that can affect multiple organ systems, including the brain," said the Fox News medical contributor, adding, "The vaccine is a useful tool that should not be maligned, attacked or mischaracterized."