Florida intends to abolish mandated vaccines for school-aged children, potentially leading to an increase in illness outbreaks, according to health experts.

In a move that has raised concerns among public health leaders, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has announced plans to eliminate all vaccination requirements, including routine childhood shots for school entry. This decision could make Florida the only state without such requirements for public school attendance.

The announcement comes as the U.S. faces its largest measles outbreak since 2000. Two children in Texas have died this year from the infection. Health leaders caution that the move could spread preventable diseases beyond the state's borders, especially given Florida's role as a top tourist destination.

Florida's Department of Health, in partnership with Governor Ron DeSantis, will begin rolling back mandates under its authority. The shift would see some mandates lifted administratively, while the legislature will decide the rest when it reconvenes in January.

Governor DeSantis has framed the effort as a fight for "medical freedom". Surgeon General Ladapo, who has repeatedly criticized COVID-19 shots and mRNA vaccines in Florida, called vaccine mandates unethical. He argued against the public aspect of public health, stating there is no ethical basis for requiring vaccines to protect vulnerable people.

The elimination of vaccination requirements could put children, tourists, and immunocompromised residents at risk. Dr. Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, warned that the move to eliminate vaccination requirements could lead to "multiple outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease and spread of these diseases."

Public health leaders warn that the move could trigger outbreaks of measles, polio, and other preventable diseases. Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, called the decision "reckless." He warned that every parent of a child who dies or is hospitalized with a vaccine-preventable disease will know exactly why.

Nationwide, kindergarten vaccination rates dropped to about 92 percent in 2024-25, below the 95 percent target needed to prevent spread. Florida data shows about 11,287 kindergartners-5.1 percent-received exemptions last school year.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic and now U.S. secretary of health and human services, has dismissed expert advisers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and replaced them with allies. His actions have been met with criticism from many in the medical community.

Ladapo's skepticism about vaccines is not limited to Florida. He has also questioned the fluoridation of drinking water. His stance on vaccines and public health has raised concerns among many, who fear that the move to eliminate vaccination requirements could have far-reaching implications.

In conclusion, the decision to eliminate vaccination requirements in Florida has sparked a heated debate. While some argue for medical freedom, others caution that the move could lead to preventable diseases spreading, potentially putting lives at risk. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to prioritise the health and safety of all individuals, especially children and those with compromised immune systems.

Florida intends to abolish mandated vaccines for school-aged children, potentially leading to an increase in illness outbreaks, according to health experts.