Florida rolls back childhood vaccine mandates in medical freedom drive

Florida has announced the plans to end all state’s vaccine mandates including for the public schools and children, demonstrating a dynamic shift from the US public health policy.

On Wednesday, September 3, State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has considered the vaccine mandate requirements in schools and elsewhere equivalent to “immoral” intrusions on people’s rights, restricting them to make decisions for their children’s health.

The decision came in the backdrop of Florida’s efforts to ensure medical freedom and put the slavery to an end.

“People have a right to make their own health decisions, informed decisions,”. They don’t have the right to tell you what to put in your body. Take it away from them,” Ladapo said.

At a press conference in Tampa, Ladapo added, “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 to do with your body?”

The recent move which is aimed at promoting medical autonomy has shown a departure from the decades of US public health policy that considers vaccination as the safest way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Florida’s announcement has drawn concerns from public health experts who warn of potential disease outbreaks and compromised immune systems.

According to Dr. Rana Alissa, chair of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, “When everyone in a school is vaccinated, it is harder for diseases to spread... When children are sick and miss school, caregivers also miss work, which not only impacts those families but also the local economy.”

Anna Eskamanai, Democratic state Representative, said on X account, “This is a public health disaster in the making for the Sunshine State.”

Besides critics, supporters also come to the forefront, defending the decision. Ron DeSantis, a Republican and Florida Governor, commented, “Medical autonomy is something we have got to be very conscientious about protecting."