Dr. Linda Marraccini (pictured) says she will no longer treat unvaccinated patients in person from September 15
A Florida doctor says he will stop treating patients in person if they are not vaccinated against Covid-19.
Dr. Linda Marraccini said the decision was intended to protect her immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing chemotherapy and at increased risk of infection.
The policy goes into effect on Sept. 15, and patients who refuse to get vaccinated, she says, have the option of undergoing remote telemedicine treatment or seeking another primary care physician.
It occurs amid the worst outbreak of coronavirus in the state since the start of the pandemic, driven largely by the spread of the Indian delta variant.
Since the last week of August, 705 new cases per 100,000 people have been reported and the state was averaging 244 virus deaths per day, according to the CDC.
On a positive note that Florida’s rise could slow, however, Covid-19 hospitalizations have fallen in the past two weeks from more than 17,000 to 14,200 on Friday.
“I understand that people are free to choose, but for me it’s a problem when it affects other people,” said Marraccini, whose family practice is in South Miami on NBC 6.
She says only 10 to 15 percent of her patients are hesitant to get the vaccine, and for those people she said she gave them a month to figure out her plan in the future.
“When it comes to other people’s safety, when it comes to the fact that it’s a global health and community health issue, right now, I really say that’s where the sand line draws me,” he said. he said. he told the station.
Overall, 53.5% of Florida’s total population has been vaccinated.
In addition, across the country, the country continues to experience an increase in coronavirus cases with a seven-day moving average of 153,000 new cases over the past week, up 4.9% from the previous week.
Marraccini’s policy comes when Florida sees its worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic
By mid-August, the state was averaging 244 virus deaths per day
Marraccini announced the new policy in a letter he sent to his patients last month
Marraccini insists that the policy, which he announced to his patients and a letter he sent last month, is not a violation of the Hippocratic oath, which is a code of ethics adopted by doctors who promise not to hurt patients.
“The Hippocratic oath is very much based on science. I am following science. I am applying this for the benefit of the sick,” he told Newsweek, noting that the decision was intended to protect the most vulnerable patients from whom he feared they might be exposed. to the virus in your office.
It also says it is willing to make exceptions for people who cannot get vaccinated or who only need to prescribe prescriptions, the media reported.
“We won’t leave them out because of the cold,” he said.
Although Marraccini says the decision was motivated by science and not politics, he said individuals had a responsibility to help end the pandemic by getting vaccinated, telling Newsweek that “it should not continue so long. of time “.
Meanwhile, about 53.5% of Florida’s total population has been vaccinated
“There have been millions of deaths worldwide, so that’s not something to ignore. People get to the point where everyone knows someone who died of COVID,” Marraccini told NBC.
“This is a problem that really everyone needs to help and it affects our collective health.”
However, his policy may conflict with the ban on vaccine passport by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, which will take effect Sept. 16.
Companies requesting vaccination tests can receive a fine of up to $ 5,000, but in the case of Marraccini the law can be difficult to enforce.
The policy may conflict with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on vaccine passports, though legal experts say that in the case of a doctor’s office, it can be difficult to enforce.
“I don’t think a medical clinic can be treated the same way it can be done with a company,” attorney Juan Carlos Planas told NBC.
Critically, he said, Marraccini’s medical argument can protect it from legal ramifications.
“He explains medically how he wants to protect his staff exactly and specifically states that no medical professional has found many people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons,” Planas said.
Across the country, the country continues to experience an increase in coronavirus cases with a seven-day moving average of 153,000 new cases over the past week, up 4.9% from the previous week.
