Florida Doctor Will Turn Away Unvaccinated Patients: ‘We Will No Longer Subject Our Patients and Staff to Unnecessary Risk’

A Florida doctor says she plans on turning away patients who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine.

South Miami family doctor Linda Marraccini sent a letter to her patients letting them know that she will no longer accept in-person appointments from unvaccinated patients. She explained in the letter that her reasoning is because the Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“This is a public health emergency — the health of the public takes priority over the rights of any given individual in this situation,” Marraccini wrote in her letter. “It appears that there is a lack of selflessness and concern for the burden on the health and well-being of our society from our encounters.”

Marraccini’s decision comes after the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow in the state. Florida currently has the second-most people hospitalized with COVID-19, USA Today reports.

By Sept. 15, Marraccini will be cutting ties with unvaccinated patients. However, she says she will continue taking unvaccinated patients who have yet to find a new health provider.

“We will no longer subject our patients and staff to unnecessary risk,” Marraccini said.