The state of Florida is planning to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including those for school-age children. Governor Ron DeSantis and State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo made the announcement on Wednesday, citing the aim to protect individual liberties. However, health professionals are raising concerns about the potential dangers to children and the broader population. Ladapo stated that the agency will be removing around six vaccine rules, though significant changes require approval from the Republican-led Florida legislature. It’s currently unclear which specific vaccines will no longer be mandatory. Currently, all U.S. states require vaccinations for children to attend school.
According to the CDC, vaccination rates for measles, diphtheria, and polio have fallen during the 2024-25 school year. This period also saw the largest surge in measles cases since 2000. Experts are warning that removing vaccine mandates could lead to a rapid spread of preventable diseases among children, who could then spread these illnesses within their homes. The decision is deemed irresponsible, and experts are cautioning that every affected family will face consequences.
Experts believe this change in Florida will weaken the safety of daycares and other facilities. Since Florida is a major tourist destination, there are worries about the spread of infections to other states. The CDC indicates that approximately 11,287 kindergarten children in Florida received vaccine exemptions in 2024-25, the second-highest number in the country after Texas. Meanwhile, California, Oregon, and Washington are forming a health alliance to set their own vaccination policies, even if they deviate from federal guidelines.