Florida’s chief medical officer, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, suggests scrapping mandatory vaccinations for all children, calling it “immoral government overreach.”
Proposed Repeal
Florida may become the first US state to eliminate all mandatory childhood vaccinations, according to the state’s chief medical officer Dr. Joseph Ladapo. He claims that current vaccine mandates are “immoral government overreach.”
Behind the Scenes
On Wednesday, Ladapo and Governor Ron DeSantis announced their intention to seek the repeal of mandatory vaccinations through an administrative rule change. However, the Department of Health can only remove some existing mandates without legislative action, while others would require Florida’s legislature to act.
Current Vaccinations Required
Under existing state law, children in Florida must be vaccinated against seven diseases: polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella. The state health department can add or remove vaccines from this list.
Medical Experts Respond
Ladapo’s proposal has drawn criticism from medical professionals and health organizations, who argue that vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Jill Roberts, a professor at University of South Florida’s College of Public Health, called the idea “devastating news” and warned that it would put children at risk of deadly diseases.
