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A group of 75 South Florida doctors held a symbolic walkout Monday to mark an increase in the number of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the state, according to a report.
Doctors who participated in the protest at Palm Beach Gardens cited fatigue and frustration with misinformation that contributed to the reluctance to vaccinate in the state. Some doctors briefly left their posts to participate in the protest.
“It’s incredibly frustrating because we know that vaccines are safe and effective, and it’s the people speaking out against them that really go against doctors, medicine and science. It’s not the message we want to get across to people, ”JT Snarkski, one of the doctors who participated in the walkout, told MSNBC. “The vaccines are safe and we need to get our communities vaccinated. “
Many Florida hospitals are approaching the capacity of their intensive care units as the state faces a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant. As of this week, about 86% of the state’s hospital beds were full, which has alarmed public health officials.
About 63% of Florida residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to data from the Mayo Clinic. About 51% are fully vaccinated.
The FDA on Monday granted full approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, a move public health officials have called crucial in reducing hesitation.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has engaged in frequent public clashes with the White House over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. DeSantis enacted a ban on mask warrants within the state.
Earlier this month, DeSantis this week mobilized a “rapid response unit” to deliver monoclonal antibody treatments to COVID-19 patients in a bid to ease pressure on hospitals.
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