During last week’s special legislative session, Republicans seemed a little reluctant to address the vaccine issue here in the state.
Governor DeSantis is moving forward with a plan to eliminate Florida’s vaccination mandate. The “Medical Freedom” bill is the same bill that failed to gain support during the regular session of the Diet.
The debate was supposed to run alongside redistricting, but the state-run Republican House of Representatives decided not to take up the issue.
Where do Florida voters stand on this issue?
A poll conducted by McLaughlin & Associates in April found strong bipartisan support, with 8 in 10 voters supporting maintaining vaccination requirements in public schools.
David Dodd, CEO of vaccine developer Geovax, doesn’t think Gov. DeSantis will change course or compromise on the vaccine issue in his remaining months in office.
Dodd said policymakers are acting contrary to a clear public consensus on vaccines, undermining trust, causing confusion for families and weakening the infrastructure needed to quickly respond to future outbreaks.
The proposed bill would give parents the option to opt out of mandatory vaccinations for their children.
Under current state law, vaccine exemptions apply only to religion- or health-based exemptions.
Normally, if you want a waiver, you have to go in person to your local county health department, but one proposal would allow you to get a waiver online.
