As Florida seeks to end vaccine mandates, a behind-the-scenes debate in the medical community has been thrust into the public spotlight: Should doctors see young patients whose parents do not want them to get shots?

The decision has long rested with physicians, who say they weigh the needs of children who have no control over their families’ health care choices against their responsibility to protect their most vulnerable patients — including newborns — from potential exposure to highly contagious, preventable diseases. Many pediatricians opt to require vaccines, even posting such policies on their practice’s websites.

But doctors no longer will make the call if Florida leaders have their way. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said on Sept. 3 they want to end vaccine r

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