Florida loosens public school vaccine requirements, dropping four shots

Florida's Department of Health issued a rule allowing public-school attendance without vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, Hib, and pneumococcal disease, effectively eliminating mandates for shots not required under state law, while keeping vaccines required by state law (MMR, polio, diphtheria, tetanus). The rule also expands religious exemptions and is open to public comment for 21 days before final approval, continuing a year-long push to trim school vaccine mandates amid related disputes with Catholic schools.