Florida Initiates Rollback of School Vaccine Mandates, Policy Shift Expected in 90 Days
Florida Initiates Rollback of School Vaccine Mandates, Policy Shift Expected in 90 Days
Florida’s Department of Health has confirmed its plan to significantly reduce mandatory school vaccinations, a controversial move initiated on September 3, 2025, that is anticipated to take effect in approximately 90 days. The decision, spearheaded by Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, positions Florida as the first state to allow families to opt out of certain school-required immunizations, including those for hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib influenza, and pneumococcal diseases such as meningitis.
While mandates for critical vaccines like measles, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, mumps, and tetanus will remain in place unless updated through future legislation, this policy shift represents a notable departure from long-standing public health guidelines. Dr. Ladapo, reiterating his stance on parental choice during a recent CNN appearance, emphasized, “If you don’t want them, parents should have the ability and the power to decide what goes into their children’s bodies. It’s that simple.”
The move has immediately drawn strong criticism from medical professionals. Dr. Rana Alissa, chair of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, warned that making vaccines voluntary poses a significant risk to students and school staff. This development unfolds against a backdrop of increasing cases of vaccine-preventable illnesses, with the U.S. currently experiencing its worst year for measles in over three decades and a rapid spread of whooping cough nationwide.
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