Gov. Ron DeSantis had hoped that his response to the coronavirus pandemic would boost his chances in the Republican presidential primary, but he continues to lag behind former President Donald J. Trump in the polls. Despite criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic, DeSantis touts his own approach in Florida, which involved early reopening of schools and businesses and opposing mask and vaccine mandates.

While Trump expressed skepticism about Covid-19 vaccines, his administration played a key role in their development. Studies show that the vaccines have prevented many deaths and hospitalizations in the United States. DeSantis has capitalized on anti-vaccine sentiment to differentiate himself from Trump, publicly questioning their safety and efficacy. However, these views have been widely criticized by scientific experts.

DeSantis recently held a “Medical Freedom” town hall in New Hampshire, where he continued to advocate against federal public health agencies and the Covid shots. He accused the federal government of mishandling the pandemic and called for a complete overhaul of public health agencies.

Despite his attempts to distance himself from Trump’s Covid-19 policies, DeSantis has struggled to gain traction. Many voters remain supportive of Trump’s response to the pandemic, believing he did his best in a challenging situation. DeSantis is banking on his Covid policies as a key pillar of his campaign, even going against federal guidance by recommending that younger Floridians not receive the updated Covid-19 shot.

Experts have criticized DeSantis’s stance on vaccines and consider it dangerous. They argue that the shots are crucial for preventing severe disease and death, even among those under 65 with underlying medical conditions. DeSantis’s team dismisses such criticism as the complaints of a “tyrannical medical establishment” and maintains that the governor prioritizes the truth.

DeSantis’s efforts to break through in the Republican field have so far been unsuccessful. Trump maintains a lead in key primary states, and former Gov. Nikki Haley has gained ground on DeSantis in the polls. While DeSantis’s anti-vaccine rhetoric has not resonated with primary voters, it has been condemned by scientific experts as denying the importance of science in public health.

Overall, DeSantis’s handling of the pandemic, particularly his criticisms of Covid vaccines, has not translated into political success in the primary race. Public health authorities credit him for advocating for schools to reopen but criticize him for undermining confidence in vaccines. Whether these positions will ultimately benefit or hinder his campaign remains to be seen.