Florida looks to end all vaccine mandates, including those deemed routine
It looks like the state of Florida could be the first in the nation to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including those required to be enrolled in public school. Routine immunizations are those that protect against communicable diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, hepatitis A, tetanus and rabies.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, MD, PhD, shared the plan during a Wednesday press conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis. The event was meant to show how the state is aligning itself with President Donald Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
Ladapo was open about his reasoning for wanting to roll back all vaccine requirements, citing his belief in personal liberty and his Christian faith.
“Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery,” he said. “Who am I to tell you what your child should put in their body? I don’t have that right. Your body is a gift from God.”
At present, it is compulsory for all children entering kindergarten in Florida to have proof of immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; polio; measles, mumps and rubella; hepatitis B; and chickenpox. That’s six vaccine schedules and 16 shots total.
Notably, there are exceptions to the mandate issued in limited cases, such as for health reasons or on the basis of religious conviction.
DeSantis said he supports the plan to eliminate the requirement for everyone. However, he’ll ultimately need the Florida House of Representatives and Senate to act in order for that to become a reality.
AMA condemns ‘unprecedented rollback’
The American Medical Association (AMA) was quick to release a response, expressing its opposition to Ladapo’s proposed end to mandates.
“The American Medical Association strongly opposes Florida’s plan to end all vaccine mandates, including those required for school attendance. This unprecedented rollback would undermine decades of public health progress and place children and communities at increased risk for diseases such as measles, mumps, polio and chickenpox resulting in serious illness, disability and even death,” Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, trustee with the AMA, said in a statement. “While there is still time, we urge Florida to reconsider this change to help prevent a rise of infectious disease outbreaks that put health and lives at risk.”
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 89% of all Florida students entering kindergarten receive routine immunizations, as do 92% of students nationwide.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.