Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis charged Monday that the White House lied about his state's response to the FDA's decision to allow children under 5 to receive an mRNA vaccine for COVID-19.

DeSantis was criticized by some of his defenders last week when the White House insinuated he had backed down from his opposition to vaccinating young children and was "now permitting" health-care providers to order the vaccines for kids.

The governor explained last Thursday that the state – based on scientific evidence – had decided not to preorder the vaccine or participate in its distribution. But from the beginning, Florida said the vaccine would be available at health-care facilities in the state and could be ordered from the federal government through state internet portals.