Introduction to the Controversy
Florida’s Democratic members of Congress are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to reconsider a new state directive to eliminate school-based vaccine requirements. “We feel it is dangerous to remove this cornerstone of public health that ensures children are protected from preventable illnesses and keeps classrooms safe for students, schools, and families alike,” Florida’s Congressional delegates wrote in a letter delivered Tuesday to DeSantis.
The Letter and Its Signatories
Florida’s eight Democrat Congressional representatives signed the letter asking for DeSantis to respond. No Florida Republican in the U.S. House signed it. The U.S. representatives who signed say this is simply a health concern, not a matter of politics: “Preserving these protections is not a partisan matter but a bipartisan responsibility to protect our most vulnerable and ensure that our schools remain safe places to learn and thrive.”
Background on the Directive
Last week, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced the state would become the first to make vaccinations voluntary and let families decide whether to inoculate their children. Florida requires its 4.5 million children to be vaccinated against some diseases when they attend kindergarten. The childhood immunization rates plunged in Florida in 2025 as more parents sought religious exemptions from requirements for their children.
“We respectfully ask you to reconsider this policy and restore these long-standing safeguards,” delegation members wrote to DeSantis.
Public Health Implications
Florida’s plan to drop school vaccine mandates represents a retreat from decades of public policy and research that have shown vaccines to be safe and the most effective way to stop the spread of communicable diseases, especially among children. It likely won’t take effect for 90 days and would include only chickenpox and a few other illnesses unless lawmakers decide to extend it to other diseases, like polio and measles, the health department said Sunday. Ladapo previously has expressed opposition to the COVID vaccine. He said he is not concerned about a disease outbreak resulting from his new directive.
Reactions and Concerns
“We do have outbreaks in Florida, just like every state, and we manage those,” Ladapo told host Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sept. 7. “So there are no new, special, you know, special procedures that need to be made.” Florida’s proposed change comes as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced growing scrutiny over his vaccine skepticism, and appeared at a Senate hearing last week to respond to critics who say he is jeopardizing evidence-based ways to prevent dangerous outbreaks. In Florida, 82% of poll respondents say public schools should require these vaccines.
Local Discussions and Roundtables
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel held a roundtable in her district in West Palm Beach with local leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, and parents to discuss the potential consequences of Florida’s proposal to eliminate vaccine requirements for schoolchildren in the state. “I’m a grandmother and to me this is a reckless, dangerous policy change putting everyone at risk, not only our children but seniors who they come into contact with,” Frankel said.
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, left, and Ed Ferguson, Palm Beach County School Board member for District 7, at a Monday roundtable discussion about the possible elimination of vaccine mandates in Florida. Frankel’s event took place at the Mandel Library in West Palm Beach. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
State Rep. Kelly Skidmore participates in Monday’s roundtable discussion about the possible elimination of vaccine mandates in Florida with Dr. Hili Beckerman, a pediatrician, nearby. The roundtable took place at the Mandel Library in West Palm Beach. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Political Response
Florida’s 17 Republican representatives did not sign the letter. The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Tuesday: “I’m deeply disappointed that a powerful, bipartisan message could not be sent to our governor and his top health official that makes it clear: this assault on vaccines must be reversed.”
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the elimination of vaccine mandates in Florida schools continues to unfold, with Democrats urging Governor DeSantis to reconsider the directive. The implications of such a policy change are far-reaching, affecting not only the health and safety of children but also the broader community. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the state will proceed and what the ultimate outcome will be.
FAQs
- Q: What is the current policy on vaccine mandates in Florida schools?
A: Currently, Florida requires its 4.5 million children to be vaccinated against some diseases when they attend kindergarten. However, a new directive aims to make vaccinations voluntary. - Q: Who announced the change in vaccine policy?
A: Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced the state would become the first to make vaccinations voluntary. - Q: What diseases are currently required to be vaccinated against in Florida schools?
A: The directive initially includes chickenpox and a few other illnesses, but lawmakers may decide to extend it to other diseases like polio and measles. - Q: What percentage of poll respondents in Florida support requiring vaccines in public schools?
A: 82% of poll respondents say public schools should require these vaccines. - Q: How have Democratic representatives responded to the policy change?
A: Florida’s Democratic members of Congress have urged Governor DeSantis to reconsider the directive, citing concerns over public health and safety.
Originally Published: September 9, 2025 at 10:49 AM EDT
