Florida Surgeon General Links Abortion Opposition to Measles Cases Amidst Outbreak
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo suggested a potential link between opposition to abortion and increased measles cases, noting that many cases in Florida are tied to a Roman Catholic college. He pointed out that the MMR vaccine's rubella component is…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, July 27, 2026 —
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has put forth a theory suggesting a potential connection between opposition to abortion and rising measles cases within the state. This suggestion comes as Florida grapples with a significant number of measles cases, many of which have been traced to a Roman Catholic college.
Ladapo’s hypothesis centers on the origins of the rubella component of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. He noted that the cell strains used to develop this part of the vaccine can be traced back to aborted fetal tissue from the 1960s. Ladapo questioned whether this information might contribute to vaccine hesitancy among students at the college where many of the cases have been identified.
The context for these remarks is a notable increase in measles cases in Florida. According to federal data, the state ranks fifth nationally for confirmed measles cases. As of July 23, a total of 141 cases have been confirmed in Florida.
Story summarized from the original created by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix on www.cltampa.com, see more information here.
