Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced that Florida will end school vaccine requirements, making it the first U.S. state to do so. The announcement drew attention nationwide, including from the White House.
On CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper on Sunday, Ladapo acknowledged he had not studied the potential public safety impacts of removing vaccine mandates. He said outbreaks could occur, as in any state. Still, he said, no special procedures are necessary.
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Ladapo, with the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis, said last Wednesday the idea is to give parents and children control over vaccine decisions. The Florida Department of Health said mandates for schoolchildren will be suspended within 90 days, but immunizations will still be required for measles and polio.
“It’s wrong,” Lapado said of vaccine mandates. “It’s immoral. They do not have the right to tell you what you put in your body.”
President urges caution on certain vaccines
President Donald Trump told reporters that Florida should be cautious, saying that some vaccines are “amazing.”
“Look, you have vaccines that work,” Trump said. “They’re just pure and simple work. They’re not controversial at all. And I think those vaccines should be used.”
“Otherwise, some people are going to catch it, and they endanger other people,” he added. “And when you don’t have controversy at all, I think people should take it.”
Trump pointed to the polio vaccine as crucial, and also mentioned the COVID-19 vaccine, noting that many people have strong faith in it.
DeSantis and Ladapo, however, frequently referred to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it was a period when vaccines were mandated for the population without what they called sufficient scientific backing.
Exemptions and current requirements remain
In an email to The Associated Press, Florida officials said they aim to remove mandates for many vaccines required for schoolchildren, including those for chickenpox, hepatitis B and meningitis.
For now, all current vaccine requirements remain in effect under Florida law until lawmakers consider any changes. Parents can also opt out for religious reasons or provide a doctor’s note for medical exemptions, and schools must keep and transfer immunization records as needed.
Florida’s next legislative session begins in January 2026, though committees start meeting and bills can be submitted before the official start date.
