Children's Health

The state is still not giving firm answers on when — or whether — it intends to expand a safety-net healthcare program for low-income children that the Legislature has approved.

Monday is the deadline to comment on the health department's plan to strike four longstanding immunization requirements that the advocates say are safe and lifesaving.

The Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians sent notice to the Department of Health requesting a rule hearing on a proposal to make it easier for parents to opt out of vaccinating their school-aged children.

Their record isn't the only thing that's hot. Practice in the afternoon has had dangerous temperatures, forcing teams adjust how they prepare for the big game.

A state plan would remove mandates on schoolchildren receiving shots for chickenpox, hepatitis B, Hib and pneumococcal disease. Comments can be made through Sept. 14.

Researchers and disability advocates warn a dismantling of the Education Department risk widening the disparities autistic kids face in diagnosis, school support and discrimination protection.

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rep. Byron Donalds says he'd like to "study and really engage it" before making a decision about whether to repeal statutory vaccine requirements for schools.

The health department is proposing a rule to remove hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine mandates for school attendance, a move that has been in play nearly a year.

Florida in the past two years has spent more money than any other state in the nation providing a therapy called applied behavior analysis (ABA) to children with special needs including autism — $6.57 billion between 2023 and 2025.

It’s the fourth consecutive year that the national average exemption rate has reached a record, and the vast majority are parents withholding shots for nonmedical reasons.

Takagishi, vice president of Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, discusses President Trump's recent order on MMR vaccines and what happens when rates dips below herd immunity.

"Trump's new executive order changing the childhood vaccine schedule against the advice of pediatric experts is dangerous and makes no sense," said Frankel in a statement. She represents Florida's 22nd Congressional District.