On Sept. 3, 2025 in Tampa, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced the state will eliminate all state-level vaccine mandates, including requirements for children to attend public schools, a move backed by Governor Ron DeSantis that officials say will remove government vaccine requirements statewide.
Key Takeaways
- Florida’s surgeon general announced plans to end all state vaccine mandates on Sept. 3, 2025, with gubernatorial support.
- The announcement was made at a Tampa press conference where Ladapo compared mandates to “slavery.”
- Federal data show kindergarten vaccination rates fell in 2024–25 and measles cases reached their highest U.S. level since 2000.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics warned the policy could raise disease risk and disrupt schooling and local economies.
- CDC leadership changes and federal policy shifts were cited as part of a broader national debate over vaccine guidance.
- For 2024–25, about 5.1% of Florida kindergarteners were exempted from one or more vaccines—roughly 11,287 children.
Verified Facts
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced on Sept. 3, 2025 that Florida will end state-imposed vaccine mandates, including those that have been required for children to attend public schools. The governor publicly supported the move, framing it as a change to remove government mandates on individual health choices.
All U.S. states historically have maintained vaccine requirements for public school attendance, though exemption rules vary by state. Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data released in July 2025 show declines in vaccination coverage among kindergarten cohorts for several diseases compared with the prior year.
| Measure | Florida 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Kindergartners exempted from ≥1 vaccine | 5.1% (≈11,287 children) |
| Absolute rank (exemptions) | Second only to Texas |
The CDC noted the declines amid a growing measles outbreak in 2025; reported U.S. measles cases in July reached the highest level since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Public-health groups say lower coverage increases outbreak risk, especially in school settings where children interact closely.
Context & Impact
Medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, stressed that high vaccination coverage makes it harder for contagious diseases to spread in schools and helps keep students in class. Children missing school also affects parents and local economies when caregivers must stay home.
Supporters of the Florida policy argue that vaccine decisions should remain with individuals and families rather than be mandated by state government. Opponents say removing mandates may lead to lower immunization rates and greater disease transmission in communities.
Nationally, the announcement comes amid broader shifts in federal vaccine policymaking and leadership. Reuters reporting noted recent departures among senior CDC officials and reported changes in federal oversight tied to appointees with vaccine-skeptical views.
Practical implementation will depend on how state agencies revise rules, how school districts respond, and whether legal or administrative challenges arise. Local public-health authorities and school systems may retain or change their own practices within the new state framework.
“Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery,”
Joseph Ladapo, Florida Surgeon General (Sept. 3, 2025)
When school populations are well vaccinated, it reduces disease spread and keeps learning on track,
Dr. Susan Kressly, President, American Academy of Pediatrics
Unconfirmed
- Exact timeline for repealing existing Florida vaccine mandate regulations and when changes will take effect.
- Whether local school boards will adopt their own requirements or opt to maintain existing rules after state-level repeal.
- Potential legal challenges from medical organizations or parent groups and their likely timelines.
Bottom Line
Florida’s decision to end state vaccine mandates represents a significant policy shift with immediate public-health and administrative implications. Health groups warn the move could increase vulnerability to outbreaks, while supporters frame it as restoring individual choice.
How the change plays out will depend on regulatory follow-through, school district responses, and potential legal or political pushback. Public-health officials and schools will likely monitor vaccination coverage closely in the coming months.