Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz has joined health experts in urging for the removal of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo due to his handling of a measles outbreak at Manatee Bay Elementary School. At least six students at the school have been diagnosed with measles, with potential additional local cases linked to the outbreak.

Schultz criticized Ladapo for politicizing public health and promoting 'freedom of choice' rhetoric that contributes to vaccine hesitancy. The Surgeon General has not pushed for mandatory vaccinations for students and has instead left the decision to parents. The CDC recommends unvaccinated children to stay away for three weeks during a measles outbreak, a measure Ladapo advised in a letter to parents but did not mandate.

Joining Schultz in the call for Ladapo's replacement are Mary Jo Trepka from Florida International University and Latha Krishnaiyer from the Broward County PTA and Florida PTA. The Florida measles outbreak follows a similar incident in Ohio last year, where unvaccinated children were predominantly impacted.

The controversy surrounding Ladapo's response to the measles outbreak has sparked debate over the state's public health strategies, highlighting the importance of unified and proactive measures in combating vaccine-preventable diseases.