Nearly two months after calling for the removal of vaccine mandates from Florida statutes, the DeSantis administration has announced a three-hour public meeting in Northwest Florida to gather public input.
The Department of Health has scheduled the meeting in Panama City Beach on Dec. 12 to discuss changes to the current rule on vaccine requirements for public and private schools, from preschool through grade 12, as well as adult education programs.
While the DOH released the meeting date and time, it did not provide a draft of any proposed changes.
Health care attorney and lobbyist Christopher Nuland expects the meeting to draw a crowd.
“Despite the state putting the notice for a workshop in the most remote corner of the state, there will be several doctors who will be attending that workshop to argue for the existing rule,” said Nuland, a Jacksonville lobbyist representing groups such as the Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians Services, the Florida Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, and the Florida Neurosurgical Society.
Florida law requires students in public and private schools to be vaccinated for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, pertussis, mumps, and tetanus. The statute also gives the DOH authority to require additional vaccines through rulemaking, which it currently does.
The DOH rule allows exemptions for valid medical reasons, religious beliefs, and certain other belief systems.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced in September their goal of eliminating all vaccine mandates from state statutes, with a particular focus on school-aged children.
Ladapo, a longtime vaccine skeptic, compared vaccine requirements to slavery and told the crowd at the announcement that the government lacks the authority to mandate vaccines.
“It’s wrong, it’s immoral,” he said. “They do not have the right to tell you what you put in your body. They don’t have the right to tell you what your kids have to put in their body. They do not have the right. Do not give it to them. Take it away from them. And we’re going to be starting that here in Florida.”
The announcement drew national attention and swift criticism from top Democrats. Even some Republicans have distanced themselves from the proposal.
The 2026 regular legislative session begins Tuesday, Jan. 13. So far, the DeSantis administration has not released a legislative plan to remove all vaccine mandates from statutes.
Meanwhile, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith has introduced a bill (SB 626) that would add hepatitis B, chickenpox, haemophilus influenzae type b, and pneumococcal disease to the list of required vaccines in state law.
The meeting will take place at Hyatt Place Panama City Beach, The Dunes Conference Room, 15727 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach.
Leave a Reply