Ben Albritton says ‘old school vaccines’ are safe, but jury still out on mRNA jabs

Days before the Department of Health (DOH) is to hold a public meeting on changing Florida’s rules on vaccine requirements for schools, Senate President Ben Albritton said the issue is among those about which he and his team are trying to “build consensus.”

He said that while there’s ample evidence to show the efficacy and safety of long-used vaccines like those used for measles, mumps, polio, rubella, tetanus and others mandated in state statutes, he’s also swayed by the importance of parental rights.

“The one opinion I can have is the opinion of a dad and how (my wife) Missy and I would (act for our children). I’m a believer (in) the vaccines of old; some of these things have been around, just say, forever, a long time and have a great record,” he said.

“Now, there’s new conversation I know about (regarding) schedules and … what age the child would get vaccinated for those (diseases). I’m open to those conversations. But functionally, I think, given the decision for Missy and I, we would be supportive of our children being vaccinated, but those old school vaccines.”

Albritton noted that while polio hasn’t been entirely eradicated, vaccines have “put a dent into that and other very challenging diseases.”

DOH is scheduled for a three-hour meeting Friday at the Hyatt Place Panama City Beach to mull over whether and to what degree Florida should revise its requirement that public and private students in pre-K through 12th grade and adult education enrollees must be vaccinated.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo have called for a complete repeal of Florida’s vaccine mandate. Ladapo has likened the current arrangement to “slavery,” while DeSantis has argued that making still-available inoculations optional will boost their popularity.

Albritton said at a Tuesday conference with Capitol press corps reporters that while he’s a believer in tried-and-true vaccines, he’s wary of mRNA types like those used in many COVID shots.

“I have never gotten, nor will I ever get, an mRNA COVID vaccine or any other type. I never have,” he said. “Now, that isn’t because I consider myself a rebel or something. I just don’t trust the technology. It seems a little weird to inject something in your body that tinkers with your DNA.”

And that’s where he draws the line: Old vaccines, good; new vaccines that use mRNA, suspect; and moms and dads should have final say.

“We support parental rights,” he said. “Missy and I believe we’re going to separate the mRNA stuff from the traditional stuff. And let’s be thoughtful about what works and what we know.”

According to the National Library of Medicine, mRNA vaccines do not alter or interact with DNA and quickly leave the body, leaving natural genetic material untouched, after triggering immune responses in cells.

Because Florida’s vaccine requirements are in statute, legislation is necessary to repeal them.