On September 3, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, announced plans to eliminate all vaccine requirements in the state, including those required for school enrollment. The move would make Florida the only state not to require routine immunizations to enroll in K-12 school. Ladapo vowed that his health department would overturn state vaccine requirements through legislative action. Public health experts criticized the announcement, warning that a reversal of vaccine policy will lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Responses to the news were mixed, with critics fearing that the decision would undermine public health progress and supporters hailing the move a victory for “medical freedom.”
Recommendation
Florida’s plan to end all vaccine requirements, including school immunizations, reflects a broader trend of mainstreaming previously fringe anti-vaccine positions. Messaging may highlight the decades of evidence showing that routine childhood vaccines are safe and save lives. Health communicators may emphasize that vaccines empower parents to protect their children and reduce the risk of outbreaks. Talking points may stress the importance of herd immunity to protect the most vulnerable from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Fact-checking sources: Fact-checking sources: CNN, PolitiFact, AAP Find out how to communicate about vaccine mandates with your community
