Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis said last week that the decision to remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 does not affect him or others because it was a personal health choice. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, has since responded by calling his remarks “completely incorrect.”

During an appearance on CNN on Monday, Fauci was asked to explain why DeSantis’ remarks were wrong which led to an explanation on vaccine effectiveness in treating serious illnesses throughout history.

“Vaccination...has been the solution to every major public health issue in which a vaccine was developed for,” Fauci said on CNN’s "New Day" program. “I’m not sure what people are talking about when they push back on vaccinations. It is historically, over decades and decades and decades, shown to be the way you control an infectious disease.”

Framing the question around whether or not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is a matter of personal choice has become a central talking point for Republican politicians opposed to either vaccination or mask mandates. Governors in GOP-led states have locked horns with President Joe Biden’s administration and local districts looking to implement mandates to curb infections.

DeSantis, who is up for re-election in 2022, figures prominently in this fight through his bans on schools requiring children to wear masks and prohibition against measures requiring proof of vaccination in Florida. The governor maintains this position by taking the personal choice argument, even as his state's COVID cases rise.

Fauci has been pilloried by some Republicans for rebuking former President Donald Trump on the dangers of COVID-19. DeSantis has been among the GOP politicians taking part in the Fauci bashing, including by offering anti-Fauci merchandise on his official website. Fauci has not wavered in his readiness to rebuke his critics.

When continuing to discuss DeSantis’ remarks about how remaining unvaccinated does not affect others Monday, he was quick to rebuke him.

"But when you have a virus that’s circulating in the community and you are not vaccinated, you are part of the problem because you are allowing yourself to be a vehicle for the virus to be spreading to someone else,” said Fauci.

“So when you’re dealing with an outbreak of an infectious disease, it isn’t only about you. There is a societal responsibility that we all have,” he added.

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