Florida Moves to Drop Four School Vaccines, Expands Exemption Options

The Florida Department of Health is moving to remove four vaccines—Hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib, and pneumococcal disease—from public and private K–12 school entry requirements, and to widen religious and personal-belief exemptions. The proposal would apply to both public and private students and opens a 21‑day public comment period before final approval. Health experts warn lower vaccination rates could weaken herd immunity, while some doctors say exemptions and continued individual choice are important, a debate reflecting Florida’s ongoing tensions after Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo signaled an intent to end all school vaccine mandates.