Florida Moves to Loosen School Vaccine Rules, Omitting Chickenpox Shot

Florida health officials proposed a rule to remove four vaccines from state school vaccination requirements—hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), Hib, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines—citing moral and ethical beliefs. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo frames the move as protecting parental rights and personal freedom, while the American Academy of Pediatrics warns it could raise illness risk, disrupt schooling and local economies. The rule has a 21-day public comment period before taking effect.