DeSantis Administration Pushes to Eliminate All Vaccine Mandates in Florida

The DeSantis administration has rolled out a proposal to eliminate all vaccine mandates in Florida, making the state the first in the nation to do so. This move has been met with criticism from health experts and politicians, who argue that it will put the health and lives of Floridians at risk. The proposal would eliminate vaccine requirements for school children, college students, and nursing home residents, leaving it up to individuals to decide whether or not to get vaccinated.

Key Takeaways:

• The DeSantis administration's proposal would eliminate all vaccine mandates in Florida, making the state the first in the nation to do so.
• The proposal would affect school children, college students, and nursing home residents, who would no longer be required to get vaccinated against infectious diseases and viruses.
• Health experts and politicians have criticized the proposal, arguing that it will put the health and lives of Floridians at risk.
• The proposal would contradict current requirements for immunization for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, pertussis, mumps, and tetanus for entry and attendance in Florida schools.
• Florida law currently allows exemptions for valid medical reasons, and religious and certain belief systems, but this proposal would eliminate all requirements.
• The Florida Education Association has warned that changing the rules would endanger students and faculty, and would contradict the state's efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and keep kids in school.
• Public Citizen's Health Research Group Director Robert Steinbrook has called the proposal a "recipe for disaster," and urged the Legislature to stand against the DeSantis administration.
• The proposal has been met with criticism from Democratic officials, who argue that it is a "reckless" decision that could lead to a drop in immunized individuals in the state.

Statistics:

• Currently, over 75% of school children in Florida have received shots.
• A measles case was recently confirmed at a Miami-Dade County high school, and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has emphasized parents' rights to send their kids to school unvaccinated.
• In 2021, Ladapo refused to wear a mask during a meeting with state Sen. Tina Polsky, who was being treated for cancer.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that individuals 6 months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine, while previously recommended vaccines were available for individuals as young as 6 months.
• The proposed changes would affect nursing home residents, who would no longer be required to receive the pneumococcal vaccine upon admission.

Sources:

• "Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and his boss, Gov. Ron DeSantis, want to eliminate all vaccine mandates from Florida law as well as rules and regulations." (Source: Stock photo by Getty Images)
• "This is ridiculous. Florida already has broad medical and religious exemptions for childhood vaccines, so any family that has a sincere opposition to vaccination can opt-out." (Source: Senate Democratic leader Sen. Lori Berman)
• "Ending vaccine mandates poses a grave public health risk and will likely lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases." (Source: Sen. Shevrin Jones)
• "High immunization rates against dangerous infectious diseases such as measles and polio protect individuals as well as their communities." (Source: Public Citizen's Health Research Group Director Robert Steinbrook)
• "The Florida Education Association issued a statement warning that changing the rules would endanger students and faculty." (Source: Florida Education Association)
• "Florida law contains a number of immunization requirements for the young and the old, including immunization for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, pertussis, mumps, and tetanus." (Source: Florida law)
• "The 2026 legislative session begins in January, which is when the DeSantis administration will work with the Legislature in hopes of accomplishing its goal." (Source: Department of Health)
• "A substantially scaled-back effort to address vaccine mandates fell short during the 2025 session." (Source: Florida Senate)
• "The DOH championed a broad bill (HB 1299) continuing a law initially passed in 2021 that banned businesses, government entities, and education institutions from denying people entry or service based on vaccination status or requiring people to wear masks." (Source: Florida Senate)
• "Florida Make America Healthy Again Commission" will be co-chaired by first lady Casey DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. (Source: News article)
• "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated vaccines for COVID-19." (Source: Axios)