Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Seeks Grand Jury Probe Over COVID-19 Vaccines

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing for a grand jury probe regarding the alleged "crimes and wrongdoing" related to the COVID-19 vaccines.

The Republican governor has also set up Florida's own Public Health Integrity Committee.

DeSantis' petition for the grand jury probe noted that the federal government and other experts have "created an expectation" that getting the COVID-19 vaccine is an "ethical and civic duty" and that choosing not to get vaccinated against the contagious virus is "selfish and harmful to others."

The petition also claims that pro-vaccine individuals and companies had established the said perceptions for "financial gain."

DeSantis said that it is against the law in Florida to "mislead and to misrepresent," especially if they are talking about the efficacy of a drug.

Florida's Own Health Committee

DeSantis also announced that the new public health committee will be led by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo.

Ladapo is known to have recommended against vaccinating children for COVID-19 while also questioning the effectiveness of the vaccines for anyone but the elderly.

The Surgeon General said that the state would collaborate with the University of Florida to study autopsy results in cases of "sudden deaths" of people who have received the COVID-19 vaccines in Florida.

Castillo added that it enabled people worldwide to go about their lives "more freely."

A University of South Florida professor, Dr. Michael Teng, said that there has been numerous COVID-19 research. He does not deny vaccines' side effects but explained that they are rare.

Teng said that there will always be people who have reactions to vaccines. He added that they are better than contracting the disease.

Florida had a roundtable discussion with a group of experts discussing the severe effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

DeSantis described the new public health committee as bureaucracies like the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institute for Health.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on COVID-19 Vaccines

DeSantis accused the pharmaceutical industry of possible misleading on the vaccine. He also focused on Pfizer and Moderna's mRNA vaccines.

The scientists present at the discussion stressed that other non-COVID vaccines should be "considered safe."

Pfizer spokeswoman, Sharon J. Castillo, said in a statement that mRNA vaccines against COVID "have saved hundreds of thousands of lives." Castillo added that several regulatory agencies had authorized the vaccines after a "robust and independent" review of the scientific data presenting quality, safety, and efficacy.

Meanwhile, Moderna has yet to comment on DeSantis' latest announcement.

DeSantis said that they conducted a study in Florida, which showed an 86% increase in cardiac-related activity from people 18 to 39 who received the mRNA shots.

CDC argued that myocarditis and pericarditis have rarely been reported, and when reported the cases were found in adolescents and young adult males after mRNA COVID vaccination.

DeSantis said at the event that they will be working to hold the vaccine manufacturers accountable for the COVID-19 vaccines after claiming that "there were no side effects."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Gov. DeSantis seeks grand jury investigation of COVID-19 vaccines - from CBS Miami