Florida Surgeon General Ends Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates in Schools and State Law

Joseph Abiodun Ladapo is a Nigerian-American physician, researcher, and public health official who has served as Florida’s Surgeon General and Secretary of the Florida Department of Health since September 2021, following his appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis[1][5]. Born on December 16, 1978, Ladapo immigrated to the United States from Nigeria and built a career focused on internal medicine and health policy research[1]. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University, followed by both an MD and a PhD in health policy from Harvard University, and completed his clinical training in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center[1][2][5]. Ladapo’s academic career includes faculty positions at the NYU School of Medicine and tenure as an associate professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he cared for hospitalized patients and conducted research on behavioral economic strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged populations[2][3][5]. He is currently a professor of medicine at the University of Florida, where his research—supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—has focused on clinical trials for weight loss, smoking cessation, and cardiovascular disease prevention among people with HIV[2][3]. His work has been published in leading medical journals, including The Journal of the American Medical Association and the Annals of Internal Medicine[2][3]. As Florida’s Surgeon General, Ladapo has been a prominent and controversial figure in public health policy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is known for his opposition to COVID-19 mitigation measures such as vaccine and mask mandates, and he has publicly questioned the safety and necessity of COVID-19 vaccines, positions that have drawn criticism from major medical organizations[1]. In September 2025, Ladapo made headlines by comparing vaccine mandates to slavery during an announcement about Florida’s plans to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including those for children in public schools—a move that was met with concern from groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Florida Education Association[1]. He has also expressed opposition to gender-affirming care for transgender and nonbinary minors[1]. Ladapo’s recent public statements and policy decisions continue to place him at the center of debates over public health, individual freedoms, and the role of government in medical decision-making[1].

Ron DeSantis is a prominent conservative Republican politician who has served as the 46th Governor of Florida since January 8, 2019. Born on September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida, DeSantis grew up in Dunedin with blue-collar roots. He attended Yale University, where he graduated with honors and captained the varsity baseball team. He later earned his law degree from Harvard Law School, earning a commission in the U.S. Navy as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer during his time there[1][2][3]. DeSantis's military career included deployments to Iraq, where he supported SEAL missions in Fallujah and Ramadi, earning the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service[1][2]. After his military service, he worked as a federal prosecutor, focusing on child predator cases. DeSantis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, representing Florida's Sixth District until 2018. He gained recognition for his fiscal conservatism and alignment with the Tea Party movement[2][3]. As Governor of Florida, DeSantis has been at the forefront of several contentious issues, including COVID-19 policies, education reform, and voter fraud concerns. Notably, he lifted pandemic restrictions early, while implementing measures to protect vulnerable populations[3]. His administration has also focused on expanding school choice, promoting public safety, and investing in environmental conservation[4]. In 2023, DeSantis announced his candidacy for the 2024 U.S. presidential election but suspended his campaign in January 2024, endorsing Donald Trump[2]. His tenure as governor continues to shape Florida's political landscape and influence national discussions on conservative policies. DeSantis is married to Casey DeSantis, and they have three children together[1][4].