Vaccines

The Florida Academy of Family Physicians, a doctor and other individuals argue the health department failed to follow proper procedures when moving to roll back the requirements for children to receive vaccines.

If an administrative judge issues a ruling in favor of the health department in time, the DeSantis administration can implement changes before a new governor is sworn in.

The Florida Academy of Family Physicians filed a petition Friday with the Division of Administrative Hearings, alleging the Department of Health failed to follow proper procedures when moving to roll back the requirements.

As season vaccinations ramp up, Archbishop Thomas Wenski is accusing Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier of "bullying" Catholic schools in a dispute over religious freedom, public health and state scholarship funding.

The health department wants to remove the immunization requirements for hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate to attend Florida schools.

The scientists identified a vulnerable piece of the recurring malaria parasite P. vivax, advancing efforts to develop a vaccine against relapse-causing infections.

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.

A proposed rule would allow people to receive the shot at pharmacies. The Board of Pharmacy is accepting public comments through Oct. 8.

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.

More new cases of measles have been recorded in Collier County, the Florida Department of Health data recording site says.

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.