Staff Writer
Florida health officials announced Sunday that the state’s plan to roll back certain school vaccine requirements is not expected to take effect for at least 90 days. The proposed change would apply to a limited number of immunizations, including chickenpox, hepatitis B, Hib influenza, and pneumococcal diseases such as meningitis.
According to the Florida Department of Health, all other vaccines currently required for public school attendance — such as those for measles, polio, mumps, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis — will remain in place unless lawmakers decide otherwise. Any additional updates would require legislative action.
The proposal marks a shift in policy from longstanding public health practices. Since 1980, all 50 states have had vaccine mandates for public school students, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccines have historically been credited by researchers and public health officials as the most effective tool to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in school communities.
Lawmakers in Florida are not scheduled to reconvene until January 2026, though committee meetings are set to begin in October. Until then, the limited vaccine mandate rollback is expected to remain under review.
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