Summary
Florida plans to end all state vaccine mandates, according to its Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo. This move would make Florida the first U.S. state to stop requiring vaccines, which could lead to fewer children receiving vaccines against diseases like measles and polio.
Key Facts
- Florida will end state-level vaccine mandates, announced by Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo.
- Florida aims to be the first state in the U.S. to stop requiring vaccines.
- Florida has the highest rate of non-medical vaccine exemptions for kindergartners in the southeast.
- Current state law requires children to be vaccinated against seven diseases, including measles and polio.
- Florida's Department of Health also requires vaccines against four additional illnesses.
- Parents in Florida can get religious exemptions for their children without appointments or questioning.
- Florida reported 10,556 non-medical vaccine exemptions for the 2024–25 school year, second only to Texas.
- Governor Ron DeSantis mentioned legislative action might be needed for some mandates written into state law.
