Introduction to Public Health Concerns
As the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis prepares to make Florida the first state to remove school vaccine mandates, deep concern is spreading among doctors, parents and public health workers for the safety of children and others who might be vulnerable in a disease outbreak. They fear that dreaded diseases, held in check for decades by vaccines, could flare up again if too many people in Florida aren’t immunized.
DeSantis Calls This ‘Medical Freedom’
While states traditionally follow federal guidance when it comes to vaccines, school mandates are set by state health departments. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced that the department he oversees would begin taking steps immediately to eliminate these mandates, calling them “immoral” intrusions on people’s rights that hamper parents’ ability to make health decisions for their children. “We’re going to end it,” Ladapo said, without providing details or a timeline.
School Nurses Sound Alarm
“If they’re able to go through with it, they’re just opening a door to a health crisis that’s 100 percent preventable,” said Lynn Nelson, president of the National Association of School Nurses. Schools are a microcosm of society, and when students go home, they can bring diseases to vulnerable people such as infants and the elderly, Nelson said. Measles, mumps and pertussis — also known as whooping cough — are among the preventable diseases Nelson is most concerned about if Florida’s plan succeeds.
Florida Already Lags Nation in Vaccination Rates
This is the worst year for measles in the U.S. in more than three decades, with more than 1,400 cases confirmed nationwide, most of them in Texas, and three deaths. Whooping cough has killed at least two babies in Louisiana and a 5-year-old in Washington state since last winter, as it too spreads rapidly. There have been more than 19,000 cases as of Aug. 23, nearly 2,000 more than this time last year, according to preliminary CDC data. Even before Wednesday’s announcement, Florida lagged the rest of the United States when it came to kindergarteners being immunized for diseases like measles, mumps and rubella, with 88.7% immunized in 2025, compared to more than 92% nationwide, according to state and federal health statistics.
Parents Are Divided
“I’m pro-vaccine 100%,” Ivette Faes said as she waited with other parents to pick up their kids outside Bayview Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday. Dropping the vaccine requirements is not a good idea, she said, because “we have to protect our kids to protect the other ones.” But Ebony Walker, the mother of a first-grader at the school, said she’s “all for” removing the mandates. She said “it was scary” when her son had to get so many vaccines shortly after being born. Now she’s got him a religious exemption from other inoculations.
Why Are Vaccines Needed?
Since the first safe and effective polio vaccine was released for use in the United States in 1955, vaccines have become a cornerstone of public health, keeping schoolchildren and adults safe from infectious diseases that had afflicted populations for centuries. Timely and up-to-date required vaccinations “are essential to protecting school-age children, youth, and the public from preventable, serious infectious diseases,” according to a recent position paper from the National Association of School Nurses. “Vaccine exemptions should be eliminated, except when necessary for validated medical contraindications,” the group said.
How Could This Affect Florida’s Tourism Industry?
It’s unclear how a decline in vaccinations might affect Florida’s top business — its $128 billion tourism industry. Florida is among the top U.S. destinations, with 143 million visitors last year. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and other Orlando theme parks no longer require proof of vaccinations for employees, due to Florida laws passed in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that limit employers’ power to require such protection. Representatives for Disney and Universal didn’t respond to inquiries Thursday asking them about the potential impact of more unvaccinated children.
Conclusion
The potential removal of school vaccine mandates in Florida has sparked concern among public health officials, doctors, and parents. With the state already lagging behind the nation in vaccination rates, the fear is that preventable diseases could flare up again, putting vulnerable populations at risk. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the impact on public health and the tourism industry, and to continue educating the public about the importance of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases.
FAQs
- Q: What is happening with vaccine mandates in Florida?
A: The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing to remove school vaccine mandates, citing “medical freedom” as the reason. - Q: Why are public health officials concerned?
A: They fear that without vaccine mandates, preventable diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough could flare up again, putting vulnerable populations at risk. - Q: How does Florida’s vaccination rate compare to the rest of the nation?
A: Florida lags behind the nation, with 88.7% of kindergarteners immunized for diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella, compared to over 92% nationwide. - Q: What is the potential impact on Florida’s tourism industry?
A: It is unclear, but with the state’s tourism industry being a significant part of its economy, any decline in vaccinations could potentially affect visitor numbers and public health.
