Florida’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced that the state intends to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including those required for students to attend school.
This decision has raised concerns among public health experts who warn it could lead to severe outbreaks among children, tourists and immunocompromised individuals.
Alongside Governor Ron DeSantis, Ladapo framed the issue as the matter of personal choice.”Who am I as a government or anyone else, or who am I as a man standing here now to tell you what to do with your body” ?
Ladapo stated during a press conference in Tampa, he mentioned plans to roll back mandates for several vaccines, he did not specify which ones would be effected.
A Republican Governor DeSantis, has made opposition to COVID-19 mandates a key focus of his administration, emphasising the importance of “medical freedom”. All US states currently have vaccine requirements for public school attendance with variations in exceptions.
According to federal data, vaccination rates for diseases such as measles, diphtheria and polio have declined among US. Kindergartners in the 2024-25 school year. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant measles outbreak, with confirmed cases in July reaching the highest levels since the disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000.
President of the Infectious Disease Society of America Dr. Tina Tan characterised Florida’s decision as a “major disaster”, predicting outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. She further warned that such diseases could jeopardise those who cannot be vaccinated particularly in a state that attracts millions of tourists.
An infectious disease expert, Dr. Michael OSterholm called the decision “reckless”. He further said that parents of affected children by vaccine preventable diseases would know precisely why it happened.
Florida’s move could also impact vaccine requirements for daycares and other facilities, potentially exacerbating health risks statewide. Shares of COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna saw declines following the announcement.
President Donald Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy has been vocal critic of vaccines promoting unfound theories linking vaccines to rising autism rates. Since taking office, Kennedy has replaced key CDC vaccine advisers with individuals who align more closely with his views leading to significant changes in US vaccine policy.
DeSantis announced the establishment of a commission to align Florida’s health policies with Kennedy’s agenda, with legislative input expected in January. Ladapo emphasised his lack of authority to mandate specific vaccines and reiterated the importance of individual choice regarding health.
In 2024-2025 school year, approximately 5.1% of Florida kindergartners were exempted from one or more vaccines, translating to about 11,287 children. This ranks Florida among the states with the highest exemption rates.
In response to the ongoing tensions over vaccine policies, California, Oregon and Washington have formed the West Coast Health Alliance to provide unified vaccine recommendations aiming to diverge from formal guidance if necessary.
