Florida Moves to Eliminate All Vaccine Mandates, Including School Requirements

Florida is taking the bold step of eliminating all state vaccine mandates, making it the first state in the United States to propose such a broad reduction in immunization requirements. Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans to end vaccination mandates for children attending schools and child care facilities.

Ladapo described current vaccine mandates as an “immoral” infringement on individual rights, likening them to “slavery.” He emphasized that people have the right to make their own informed medical decisions without government interference. The Florida Department of Health will immediately begin scrapping some vaccine requirements that it can remove administratively, while others, including mandates for diseases like measles, polio, and chickenpox, will require legislative action during the next session.

Governor DeSantis highlighted this as a major step in removing government barriers and expanding parental rights over medical decisions for their children. A new state commission called “Make America Healthy Again,” chaired by Lt. Governor Jay Collins and First Lady Casey DeSantis, will support the effort to promote medical freedom, informed consent, and an overhaul of vaccine and health policies.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts and Democratic lawmakers, who warn that eliminating vaccine mandates may lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases and pose significant public health risks. Nevertheless, Florida’s leadership aims to remain at the forefront of what it calls medical freedom initiatives.

This historic policy change represents a dramatic shift in public health strategy in Florida and will be closely watched nationwide as it progresses through legislative hurdles and administrative changes.