Promoting health shouldn’t cost Pino his job

Dr. Raul Pino’s frustration at his department members’ low immunization rate is understandable and his suspension by the state Department of Health is unconscionable (“Why did DeSantis muzzle top Orange health official?” Jan. 26).

His core responsibility during this pandemic is to promote services and policies that serve the public health utilizing all the tools available, including not only the most current evidence-based interventions, but also his voice. COVID19 vaccines are by far the most effective measure to save lives and unburden our overstressed hospitals. As physicians and allied health-care providers we must advocate for our patients, including using our voices to inform and encourage immunization, and we should lead by example practicing what we preach.

Martin Derrow Maitland