Vaccines

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.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about the Hope Florida investigation, the state’s plan to rollback vaccines requirements and a look at the new era of high school athletics in Florida.

Documents show Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. wrote the then-prime minister, saying he wanted his team to study what happened with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in the Pacific island nation.

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.

Two "measles-associated" deaths were reported by Pennsylvania health authorities this week in Lancaster County, the first such deaths so far this year in the United States.