Florida to End Childhood Vaccine Requirements

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced Wednesday that Florida will cancel all childhood vaccine mandates, making it the first US state to do so.

The Details: In a press conference, Ladapo likened the mandates to “slavery,” and said, “Who am I to tell you what your child should put in your body? I don't have that right. Your body is a gift from God." Officials did not give a timeline for the cancellation. In Florida, students are currently required to be vaccinated against multiple illnesses, including the measles, chicken pox, hepatitis B, and polio. Several health groups, and Florida Senate Democrats have condemned the move citing “concerns about scientific integrity.”

For Context: All 50 states and Washington DC have laws requiring certain vaccines for students to attend school. Many states align their recommendations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-nine states and DC allow vaccine exemptions for religious purposes, and 14 allow exemptions for either religious or personal reasons. In July, the CDC found a drop in overall kindergarten vaccine coverage to roughly 92% during the 2024-25 school year–lower than the desired 95% average. It also showed an increase in child vaccine exemptions across the country.

How the Media Covered It: CBS News (Lean Left bias) emphasized criticism from Democrat leaders and health care professionals. It highlighted past vaccine success, and quoted Dr. Philip Huang, director of the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department in Texas, who called the plan "insane and stupid." Fox News (Right) included DeSantis emphasizing informed consent in vaccination decisions. It quoted Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel who said some illnesses spread despite immunization, and that “creating a community of immunity” around highly contagious illnesses through vaccines is “responsible public health.”

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