Vaccine Exemptions

The state is moving forward with its push to end the requirement for four vaccines for children entering schools but has removed the words “sincerely held moral or ethical belief” from a proposed rule change.

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.

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.

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.

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.

House Speaker Daniel Perez said a bill loosening child vaccination mandates would not be taken up during this week's legislative special session.

Both measures were priorities for Gov. Ron DeSantis before his term ends in January, but House Speaker Daniel Perez announced members will vote on redistricting and be dismissed.

Gov. Ron DeSantis called lawmakers back to address the vaccination issue in the special session that starts Tuesday. He also wants to pass artificial intelligence regulations and a new congressional districts map.

The governor postponed the redistricting special session by a week and added the vaccine issue, which failed to make it through any House subcommittee during the regular legislative session.

The regular session was Gov. Ron DeSantis’ last as governor, but he could have as many as three special sessions to strong-arm his "medical freedom" policies through a reluctant Legislature.

The House version of the bill (HB 917), which would require doctors to accept all patients regardless of vaccination status, hasn’t been considered in that chamber this year.

A bill expanding parents' rights to waive mandatory child vaccines is advancing through the Florida Senate, but some Republicans disagree about the access it purportedly offers.