Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is still declining to share his COVID-19 vaccination status, arguing that it is a “private matter.”
During a Friday press conference, the Florida governor was again asked if he had received a booster shot.
“That’s something that I think people should just make their own decisions on,” DeSantis, 43, responded.
He continued, “I’m not gonna let that be a weapon for people to be able to use. I think it’s a private matter. We’ve worked hard to be able to protect people so they don’t lose their jobs on that.”
“In Florida, they’ve been available for people. People can make their own decisions on it. But it’s not been something that, you know, that we’ve been telling people in my age group, you know, to go out and do,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is directly asked again whether he’s received his COVID booster shot:
— The Recount (@therecount) January 21, 2022
“So that's something that I think people should make their own decisions on. I’m not gonna let that be a weapon for people to be able to use. I think it's a private matter …” pic.twitter.com/3GT2jkWda5
DeSantis’ comments come after former President Donald Trump criticized politicians for not sharing their vaccination status.
During an interview on OANN, Trump said, “I watched a couple of politicians be interviewed, and one of the questions was, ‘Did you get the booster?’ Because they had the vaccine. And they go, ‘Oh oh oh.’ They’re answering like…in other words, the answer is yes. But they don’t want to say it because they’re gutless — I gotta say it. Whether you had it or not, say it.”
“But the fact is that I think the vaccine has saved tens of millions of people throughout the world. I’ve had absolutely no side effects. I’ve had it like other people have had it. Nothing special,” he added.
That was seen as a veiled shot at DeSantis who refused in December to disclose his vaccination status. The former president has reportedly trashed DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential contender, in private for refusing to publicly state he would not run for the party’s nomination if Trump does.
