The state of Florida plans to eliminate all vaccination requirements, including mandatory vaccinations for school children. This was announced by Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo during a press conference that was also attended by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, reports The Washington Post.
Ladapo stressed that forced vaccination is “wrong and steeped in contempt and slavery”:
“Who am I as a human being to tell you what you should put into your body?.
Desantis supported Ladapo’s initiative, but acknowledged that repealing certain vaccination requirements would “require changes from lawmakers.” On the same day, the Democratic states of California, Oregon and Washington announced the creation of an alliance to coordinate their own rules and preserve access to vaccination.
Under current Florida law, children must be vaccinated against polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, pertussis, mumps and tetanus, with medical or religious exemptions. These infections have a high mortality rate without vaccination, and poliomyelitis can lead to paralysis.
Repealing the mandatory requirements in Florida would require the approval of the state legislature. At the same time, the Department of Health may more quickly repeal its own regulations for four vaccines — varicella, hepatitis B, Hib and pneumococcal PCV 15/20.
If passed, Florida would become the first state to completely abandon the practice, which curbs the spread of infectious diseases. Such a move underscores the political divide in the US over vaccination, which divides society into “reds” and “blue” states.
Donald Trump’s administration and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccination statements, have long advocated a change in vaccination policy. Before his appointment, Kennedy repeatedly stated that vaccination should be a personal choice of parents, children and doctors, and not a mandatory requirement.
