FLORIDA - Florida plans to make certain childhood vaccines optional for school attendance, with the change expected to take effect in about 90 days, the state Department of Health said.
The policy would initially affect vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, Hib influenza, and pneumococcal diseases unless lawmakers expand it to include other illnesses such as polio and measles.
The announcement follows statements by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who said the state will allow parents to decide whether their children receive these vaccines.
The Department of Health confirmed that all other required school vaccines, including those for measles, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, mumps, and tetanus, will remain mandatory unless updated through legislation.
The department stated that the rule change, initiated on September 3rd, is expected to take roughly 90 days to become effective.
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Florida public schools began the academic year in August, meaning the new policy would not immediately affect current students.
Lawmakers will not meet again until January 2026, although committee meetings start in October.
Speaking on CNN, Ladapo said parents should have the authority to decide which vaccines their children receive.
Florida already allows religious exemptions for vaccine requirements.
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Public health experts have raised concerns about voluntary vaccines.
Dr. Rana Alissa, chair of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said this approach could increase the risk of disease for students and school staff.
The United States is experiencing the worst measles outbreak in over 30 years, with more than 1,400 confirmed cases nationwide.
Whooping cough has caused several child deaths and over 19,000 reported cases as of late August.
According to the World Health Organization, vaccines have prevented at least 154 million deaths worldwide over the past 50 years.