Anti-vaccination forces push for ouster of Missouri’s public health chief

JEFFERSON CITY — Anti-vaccination activists are attempting to block the confirmation of Gov. Mike Parson’s health chief, falsely alleging he wants to force all Missourians to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a rally Monday, the group urged the Senate to vote down the appointment of Donald Kauerauf as director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Despite evidence to the contrary, the opponents argued that Kauerauf would attempt to require all Missourians to get vaccinated against a respiratory disease that has killed more than 17,000 Missourians.

Since his hiring in July to replace Randall Williams, Kauerauf has said he strongly supports vaccinations as a way to control the pandemic, but he has not called for mandatory vaccinations in keeping with Parson’s oft-stated opposition to the idea.

The opposition drew a rare statement of support from Parson, who said Kauerauf was hired “because he was the best qualified candidate for the job.”

“During Don’s six months leading DHSS, he has shown nothing but dignified public service to the people of Missouri, and during this same period, Missouri has always resisted COVID-19 mandates, prevented federal government overreach, and fought COVID-19 vaccine requirements,” the governor wrote.

Dr. Mollie James, a former intensive care physician, was among those speaking to about 150 activists in the Capitol rotunda. She said the state health department’s warning about using ivermectin — used to treat parasitic worms in horses — for COVID-19 was “an absolute lie.”

“The depth of corruption goes to the highest of levels,” said James, who also promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine, which was developed to treat malaria caused by mosquito bites.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2020 said hydroxychloroquine showed no benefit for decreasing the likelihood of death or speeding recovery from the coronavirus.

Some lawmakers lent their names to the rally, including Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg.

“It’s important you stay diligent,” Hoskins told the crowd.

Parson signaled he was disappointed in officials who have pushed back against his nominee.

“It’s concerning to see certain Missouri officials grandstanding for purely political reasons and fueling fears without any regard for the truth. I implore Missouri senators to assess the qualities of the person, not let themselves fall victim to misinformation repeated on social media,” the governor wrote.

Following the rally, the unmasked protesters flooded the halls of the Senate, drawing the attention of Capitol police.

Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, who chairs the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee, warned the group that he would not tolerate interruptions during the hearing process.

“There will be no outbursts,” Schatz said.

Despite the admonition, the hearing was interrupted a handful of times by the protesters. Kauerauf said he was not deterred.

“I’m sure when I leave here today they are going to be yelling everything at me. I don’t really care,” Kauerauf said.

Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that people who are unvaccinated face a significantly greater risk of death from COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated.

But amid an avalanche of misinformation about the shots, only about 54% of Missourians are fully vaccinated.

Under questioning by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, Kauerauf said he is against mask mandates, which are designed to lower the transmission of the airborne germs.

“They don’t work,” Kauerauf said.

He said he opposes the imposition of a statewide vaccination requirement but stood by his earlier statement that Missouri’s vaccination rate is “atrocious.”

“We can get through this if people get vaccinated,” Kauerauf said.

He told Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, that he believes vaccinations are more long-lasting than so-called natural immunity because of the presence of variants in the virus.

But Kauerauf appeared to soften the department’s 2021 stance on ivermectin, which advises against its use.

“Any type of treatment should be between an individual and their physician,” Kauerauf said.

Before coming to Missouri, Kauerauf chaired the Illinois Terrorism Task Force and was assistant director of the Illinois Department of Public Health from 2016 until his retirement in 2018.

In December, he wanted to challenge a judge’s ruling against the agency that barred COVID-19 public health orders. But Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican who is running for U.S. Senate, disagreed because he opposes public health orders and has sued local governments and schools to block them.

Continuing threats

The effort to torpedo Kauerauf comes as other health officials have quit amid threats from those opposed to public health orders.

In December, Franklin County’s health director resigned, alleging threats of violence against her.

In July 2020, residents protested outside the Jefferson County health department as the county health board discussed a proposal to require masks in public places. The health director later said that some had threatened to protest in front of her home.

In November 2020, the director of the St. Francois County public health department resigned, citing threats and harassment.

In September, Kauerauf said the “lack of respect and knowledge, darn right meanness toward each other in the public health field” in Missouri and across the country is damaging health officials’ credibility.

The effort also comes against the backdrop of Republican lawmakers pushing more than a dozen bills that would ban public- or private-employer vaccine mandates.

Other bills would force employers to assume liability if workers who are required to be vaccinated have any adverse side effects.

The committee could vote as early as Tuesday on whether to advance Kauerauf to the full Senate for further debate.

Originally posted at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31.