Florida's Surgeon General Just Compared Vaccine Mandates to What?!

Florida to End Vaccine Mandates for Children Amidst Controversial Statements

Florida is poised to become the first state in recent history to abolish mandatory vaccinations for children attending public schools. The announcement, made by Florida's Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, has sparked intense debate and raised concerns among public health experts. Ladapo, a known vaccine skeptic, likened vaccine mandates to "slavery" during a press conference in Tampa hosted by Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday.

Ladapo, appointed by DeSantis, stated that he intends to repeal every state vaccine requirement, expressing confidence that the move would receive divine approval. "Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery," he declared, referencing his belief that individuals have the right to make their own healthcare decisions without government intervention.

He further added, "People have a right to make their own decisions. Who am I, as a government or anyone else, to tell you what you should put in your body? Our body is a gift from God. What you put into your body is because of your relationship with your body and your God."

The current requirements in Florida mandate that children receive a series of vaccinations against preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, polio, and hepatitis before enrolling in public schools.

The potential consequences of ending these mandates are significant. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published last year:

• Routine childhood vaccinations prevented approximately 508 million cases of illness among children born in the US between 1994 and 2023.
• They also prevented 32 million hospitalizations.
• And 1.13 million deaths.
• The vaccine program resulted in direct savings of $540 billion and societal savings of $2.7 trillion.

While Ladapo did not provide a specific timeline for the repeal, he indicated that his department will collaborate with lawmakers and the DeSantis administration to implement the change. "I love our lawmakers. They're going to have to make decisions… people are going to have to make a decision," he said. "People are going to have to choose a side. And I am telling you right now that the moral side is so simple."

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from legal and public health experts. Dorit Reiss, a professor of law specializing in vaccine law and policy at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, pointed out the potential dangers. She noted that no law has been introduced yet regarding this matter.

"Since the 1980s, all states had school vaccines mandates. If Florida abolishes, it would be the first in recent times to do so," said Reiss. She further added, "I would also add that one reason all states adopted them is that evidence showed school mandates reduce and prevent outbreaks. If Florida does this, it’s creating an unfortunate natural experiment with its children as guinea pigs. Children deserve better."

The Florida Department of Health has been contacted for comment.

This decision places Florida at the center of a national debate about parental rights, public health, and the role of government in healthcare. Whether the state will proceed with this controversial policy remains to be seen, but the implications for children's health and the broader community are undeniable.

Tags: Florida, vaccine mandate, Joseph Ladapo, Ron DeSantis, public health, measles, polio, hepatitis, vaccine skepticism, children's health

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/03/florida-vaccine-mandate