Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced Wednesday that the state will end all vaccine mandates, including requirements for children to attend school. If enacted, Florida would become the first state to fully withdraw from policies credited with raising vaccination rates and controlling diseases such as measles, polio, and mumps.
Ladapo, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, said the change reflects his broader view that vaccination requirements infringe on individual liberty. “Every vaccine mandate drips with disdain and slavery,” he told reporters.
The announcement marks a sharp departure from longstanding public health practices, which experts credit with dramatically reducing outbreaks of once-common infectious diseases. Public health officials and medical groups have warned that removing requirements could increase risks, particularly for immunocompromised children.
The decision follows years of debate in Florida over pandemic-era rules, when the state resisted many federal health guidelines. Critics argue the new policy could erode decades of progress in public health, while supporters say parents should have the final say on medical decisions for their children.
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