Importantly, the study on
which Dr. Ladapo’s subsequent analysis is mirrored, that of Nafilyan et al., came to the opposite conclusion and found that “although there is a risk of myocarditis or pericarditis with COVID-19, there is no evidence of increased risk of cardiac or all-cause mortality following COVID-19 vaccination in young people aged 12-29.” Numerous analyses (Nafilyan, CDC, etc.) have
demonstrated the risk of cardiac death following SARS-CoV-2 infection, whose risk is greatly
reduced by receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, there are a number of reasons to be skeptical of the claim that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines increase cardiac death by 84% in young men. The analysis does not weigh benefits against risks, as the guidance purports to do.
A recommendation to withhold COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for certain age groups, should be
supported by a careful risk-benefit analysis. Such an analysis could have been performed, and
indeed has been performed by the US and other governments, and by academics. Conversely,
Dr. Ladapo’s FDOH analysis and associated policy are of highly questionable merit. Importantly,
Dr. Ladapo’s report and policy have furthered the dubious claim that mRNA vaccines are leading
to vastly increased numbers of cardiac death in young men, a claim which has been repeated
and defended by Dr. Ladapo despite its shortcomings. These statements further elevate our
concerns that he has “knowingly published material that will mislead readers”. In summary, the committee has concerns that Dr. Ladapo may have violated Sections 3.B.3 of the UF faculty policy on research integrity and has referred the matter to the University of Florida Research Integrity Officer (RIO).