Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated his opposition to vaccine mandates during a news conference Monday, while emphasizing the importance of parental choice and persuasion over coercion.

“I’ve never been in favor of mandates. Let’s just be clear on that,” DeSantis said.

The governor pointed out that many countries in Europe and Canada have no vaccine mandates yet show “pretty similar results” in vaccination outcomes.

DeSantis criticized the approach of forcing vaccines through mandates, saying it has “weaponized” public health efforts.

He recalled how, during COVID-19, people were told they could not attend restaurants, sporting events, or schools without proof of an mRNA vaccine.

In July 2021, DeSantis acknowledged the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, saying, “These vaccines are s

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