Gov. Rick Scott has taken Zika matters into his own hands, authorizing $25 million in state funds to spearhead research to find a vaccine against the virus which has invaded the Sunshine State.
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“They have a department that deals with vaccine technology, research, and they work with many very reputable global and worldwide organizations… to develop vaccines, and if you go on their website, there is no Zika vaccine”, she told the show, adding that if such a vaccine had been developed, Antigua and Barbuda’s health ministry would have been able to source it. Another five travel-related cases were confirmed Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
FilePic: AFPRIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil will begin testing a vaccine against the mosquito-borne Zika virus in humans in the next two months, a leading researcher told reporters on Tuesday.
Republicans eventually settled on a $1.1 billion package for Zika.
The move brought state spending on Zika to $61.2 million.
“Every minute that passes that Congress doesn’t approve funding means more time is lost from researching this virus”, Scott said in a released statement.
“For the sake of our state’s future children, this is time we can not afford to waste”, he explained.
“I look forward to seeing research partners across Florida come together to help combat the Zika virus and ensure our state is safe”, Scott said.
“And, for every day that goes by without federal action against Zika, the continued spread of this virus and illnesses that result from it are the sad sick proof that Washington isn’t just broken, it must be completely overhauled from top to bottom”.
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The Florida Department of Health will oversee the grant process to distribute Zika vaccine research funding. But Democrats balked because it included provisions to eliminate funds for Planned Parenthood and allow the Confederate flag to be flown at veterans’ cemeteries. He penned an op-ed in the USA Today on Thursday, blasting Obama and Congress for not doing more to fight Zika.
