Florida to Eliminate all Vaccine Mandates, a First for the U.S.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – September 3, 2025 – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday the state will move to end all vaccine mandates, making it the first in the nation to do so. The initiative, spearheaded by the Florida Department of Health and Governor DeSantis, aims to remove all state requirements for vaccinations.
The rollback could lead to decreased immunization rates for school children against diseases like polio and measles. Florida currently leads the Southeast in non-medical vaccine exemptions among kindergartners, according to Axios.
“The Florida Department of Health, in partnership with the governor, is going to be working to end all vaccine mandates in Florida law, all of them. All of them. Every last one of them,” stated Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo during a news conference, noting the state currently mandates “maybe half a dozen” shots.
Currently, all states have vaccine requirements for public school attendance, though exemptions vary. Florida already permits religious exemptions.
Ladapo characterized vaccine mandates as “dripping with disdain and slavery,” despite thier established role in public health protection. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in august indicates vaccines have saved the lives of more than 1.1 million children in the U.S. and saved Americans $540 billion in direct health-care costs over the last three decades.
Ladapo has previously expressed skepticism about vaccines, including calling for a halt to mRNA Covid-19 shots last year based on claims refuted by scientific consensus.
The move coincides with efforts by health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to alter U.S.vaccine policy, including changes to a key government immunization panel, cancellation of funding for mRNA shot progress, and adjustments to Covid-19 shot recommendations for specific populations.
