Florida to Phase Out Childhood Vaccine Mandates
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VALRICO, Fla. – Florida will move to eliminate all state-required childhood vaccine mandates, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday, September 4, 2024, escalating a push to broaden individual health freedoms and parental rights. The decision, unveiled at a news conference in Valrico, Florida, signals a significant shift in the state’s public health policy and builds upon Florida’s resistance to COVID-19 vaccine requirements and other health mandates.
The move impacts vaccinations currently required for enrollment in childcare facilities and public schools, including those for measles, chickenpox, hepatitis B, Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), and polio, according to the Florida Department of Health’s website. State Surgeon General Dr.Joseph Ladapo characterized existing requirements as an immoral
intrusion on personal liberty, drawing parallels to slavery
and hindering parents’ ability to make informed healthcare choices for their children.
Legislative and Departmental action
Dr. Ladapo stated that the state Health Department possesses the authority to remove rules pertaining to some vaccine mandates, while others will necessitate legislative action. He repeatedly affirmed the intention to eliminate all of them. Every last one of them.
Florida, he asserted, would be the first state to undertake such a comprehensive elimination of vaccine mandates.
governor DeSantis announced the formation of a state-level Make America Healthy Again
(MAHA) commission, modeled after a similar initiative led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the federal level. The commission, chaired by lt. Gov. Jay Collins and First Lady Casey DeSantis,will focus on issues such as informed consent in medical matters,promoting nutritious food,bolstering parental rights in healthcare decisions,and challenging medical orthodoxy that is not supported by the data,
DeSantis explained.
We’re getting government out of the way,getting government out of your lives,
Collins added.
The MAHA commission’s findings will inform a medical freedom package
to be presented to the Florida Legislature in the next session. This package will address existing state vaccine mandates and solidify recent state decisions to relax COVID-19 restrictions, DeSantis said. Ther will be a broad package,
the governor confirmed.
Did You Know?
Pro Tip: Parents with questions about vaccine schedules or potential side effects shoudl consult with their healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Current Vaccine Requirements in Florida
| Disease | Vaccine | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Measles | MMR | Required |
| Chickenpox | Varicella | Required |
| Hepatitis B | HepB | Required |
| DTaP | DTaP | Required |
| Polio | IPV | Required |
Under DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has consistently resisted imposing COVID-19 vaccines on schoolchildren, prohibiting passports
for access to public spaces, and opposing school closures and employer vaccine mandates. I don’t think there’s another state that’s done as much as Florida. We want to stay ahead of the curve,
DeSantis stated.
what are your thoughts on florida’s decision to eliminate childhood vaccine mandates? How might this impact public health in the state?
The Florida Department of Health is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all Floridians.
Background on Vaccine Mandates
Vaccine mandates have been a longstanding public health strategy to control and eradicate infectious diseases.Historically, these mandates have faced legal challenges based on religious and philosophical objections, often centering on individual liberty versus the collective good. The legal precedent for state vaccine mandates stems from the 1905 Supreme court case Jacobson v. Massachusetts, which upheld the authority of states to require vaccinations to protect public health. The current debate reflects a broader national conversation about the balance between individual rights and public health responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What vaccines are currently mandated in Florida schools? Currently, Florida requires vaccinations for measles, chickenpox, hepatitis B, DTaP, polio, and other diseases for school enrollment.
- Will this change affect children already vaccinated? This change will primarily affect future vaccination requirements for school enrollment and childcare.
- What is the role of the MAHA commission? The MAHA commission will advise the governor and legislature on policies related to medical freedom and parental rights.
- How will this impact public health in Florida? The potential impact on public health is a subject of debate, with proponents arguing for increased individual freedom and opponents expressing concerns about potential outbreaks of preventable diseases.
- What is the timeline for these changes? The legislative process will determine the timeline for implementing the changes, with a
medical freedom package
expected to be introduced in the next legislative session.
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