Health Officials Worried After Florida Supreme Court Approves Desantis’ COVID Vaxx Probe

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a petition to the supreme court of Florida earlier this month seeking an order. impanel a statewide grand jury to probe any wrongdoing related to COVID-19 vaccines. On Thursday, the court granted him permission to proceed.

Numerous health officials and so-called expert are now concerned about the potential impact this truth-finding mission could have on vaccine hesitancy, and public trust in the medical profession.

What about the details?

DeSantis applied to the Florida Supreme Court for approval to appoint a grand jury to investigate earlier this month “crimes and wrongdoing committed against Floridians related to the COVID-19 vaccine.”

In his petition, the governor noted that “pharmaceutical industry has a notorious history of misleading the public for financial gain. Questions have been raised regarding the veracity of the representations made by the pharmaceutical manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly with respect to transmission, prevention, efficacy, and safety. An investigation is warranted to determine whether the pharmaceutical industry has engaged in fraudulent practices. The people of Florida deserve to know the truth.”

DeSantis made a request for the seven-member court to comply on Dec. 22. “get more information and bring legal accountability for those who committed misconduct.”

A grand jury will also have the ability to consider “other criminal activity or wrongdoing that the statewide grand jury uncovers during the course of the investigation” Behavior that is part or integral to an “organized criminal conspiracy,” reported The Orlando Sentinel

Five of the five members voted in favor, while one abstained. The lone voter was not present. “no” Vote was DeSantis appointed Justice Renatha Francis.

The Tallahassee DemocratThe grand jury that is formed will be impealed for 12 months by Ronald Ficarrotta (chief judge of Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit), as the presiding Judge.

This result has some health officials in dismay.

Joshua Sharfstein, former principal deputy commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told The Hill