Edith Hejberg
Florida is on track to become the first U.S. state to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including those required for school enrollment. At a news conference Wednesday,
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced that the state’s health department will begin repealing all non-legislative vaccine requirements immediately. Governor Ron DeSantis, who joined Ladapo at the event, said lawmakers would explore additional legislation to remove any remaining mandates.
Dr. Ladapo: Vaccine mandates ‘Drip with Disdain and Slavery’
In his statement, Dr. Ladapo strongly condemned mandatory vaccination policies. “Every vaccine mandate is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery,” he said. He emphasized that vaccination should be a personal decision, not a governmental one.
“What you put into your body is because of your relationship with your body and your god. Government does not have that right.”
A sharp departure from decades of Public Health Policy
Since the 1980s, all 50 U.S. states have required children to receive certain vaccinations, like measles, polio, and tetanus shots, before enrolling in school.
While no state mandates the COVID-19 vaccine for students, these foundational immunizations have long been considered critical for preventing disease outbreaks.
Exemptions are rising – Especially in Florida
Although all states allow for medical exemptions, most also accommodate personal or religious objections. The number of families opting out has grown steadily.
In Florida, about 5% of kindergartners had vaccine exemptions in the 2024–25 school year, higher than the national average. Almost all of these were for nonmedical reasons, according to CDC data.
Pediatricians raise alarm over potential health risks
Florida pediatricians are voicing serious concerns. “We are concerned that today’s announcement will put children in Florida public schools at higher risk for getting sick,” said Dr. Rana Alissa, president of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
She warned of wider consequences, including school absences and economic strain on families when children fall ill.
CDC Study: Vaccines have saved millions of lives
A 2024 study by the CDC found that childhood vaccines prevented more than 500 million illnesses, 32 million hospitalizations, and over a million deaths among children born between 1994 and 2003.
These efforts also saved an estimated $540 billion in direct healthcare costs, a testament to the enduring value of school-based vaccine programs.
Advocates say personal freedom shouldn’t override public safety
Experts like Dr. Kelly Moore, president of immunize.org, caution that personal freedoms must be balanced with community responsibility.
“We’re all routinely subject to rules that help us live together safely,” she said. “Vaccinating children in schools helps prevent disease spread, just like seatbelts and traffic laws help prevent accidents.”
Legal and Legislative Hurdles Remain
Some mandates can be undone by the Florida Department of Health alone, but others will require new legislation.
Dr. Ladapo said the state will pursue both paths. However, public health experts point out that the process is not yet complete, and may still face resistance.
A Risky Time to Experiment, Critics Say
With the school year already underway, some experts worry that the timing of the rollback could lead to real-time consequences.
“This gives leaders several months to reconsider,” said Dr. Moore. “But if outbreaks start disrupting classrooms, Florida families may regret this decision.”
