Florida is set to eliminate nearly 50 years of mandatory childhood vaccinations, a move that has raised concerns among health experts and advocates. On September 3, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, supported by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, announced plans to end all vaccination mandates for school-aged children in the state.

Ladapo addressed a crowd of vaccination opponents in Tallahassee, stating, "Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery. Who am I, as a government or anyone else, to tell you what you should put in your body?" Critics argue that this decision could lead to a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, hepatitis, meningitis, and pneumonia, which pose risks not only to unvaccinated children but also to vulnerable populations, including infants and the elderly.

Despite the potential health risks, many health officials in Florida have remained silent. Doug Barrett, an emeritus professor at the University of Florida, noted that infectious disease experts have been instructed not to speak to the media without prior approval. John Sinnott, a retired professor at the University of South Florida, echoed this sentiment, stating that county health officials received similar directives.

The state’s vaccination rates are already among the lowest in the nation, with only about 89% of kindergartners fully vaccinated. Sarasota County has the lowest rate at approximately 80%. Experts recommend that at least 95% of a community be immunized to effectively prevent the spread of diseases like measles.

Historically, vaccination mandates have been shown to increase immunization rates. However, the political landscape has shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a growing divide on vaccine policies. Other states, including Texas and Louisiana, are also considering changes to their vaccination requirements.

Jennifer Takagishi, vice president of the Florida branch of the American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed concern about the implications of ending mandates. "This is really going to be a watershed moment for families who already were not sure they want to do vaccines and now are being told they don't need them," she said.

Ladapo has not provided evidence that his office modeled potential disease outcomes before announcing the end of mandates. He stated that parental choice is a matter of rights rather than a scientific issue. In a recent outbreak of measles in Broward County, he allowed unvaccinated children to attend school, contradicting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The potential consequences of reduced vaccination rates are alarming. A study by Stanford epidemiologist Mathew Kiang and colleagues suggested that if vaccination rates drop further, measles could become a routine illness again, with hundreds of thousands of cases and numerous deaths.

Sal Anzalone, a pediatrician in Naples, Florida, warned that measles outbreaks could signal the return of other vaccine-preventable diseases. He emphasized that the state's message regarding vaccinations could confuse parents, particularly those from underserved communities.

Health experts fear that the removal of mandates could lead to a resurgence of diseases like hepatitis B and meningitis, which have been largely controlled through vaccination. Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder of the National Vaccine Information Center, expressed skepticism about a mass abandonment of vaccinations in Florida, despite the end of mandates. She believes that while mandates have increased vaccination coverage, their removal could foster greater trust in public health.

As Florida moves forward with these changes, the potential impact on public health remains uncertain. The state’s decision could disrupt not only the health of children but also the broader community, including vulnerable populations and the tourism industry, which is vital to Florida's economy.