Republicans from Capitol Hill are warning about the move to a final vaccine mandate to Florida school children to express fears about the spread of preventable infectious diseases and what it means for their home state.
Concerns highlight the division of internal GOPs in both the public health benefits of vaccines and the power of government at all levels, requiring residents to get their shots in the name of community safety.
“Vaccinations have proven to be fundamental — they help prevent the spread of measles, polio and other things,” said Sen. Sherry Moore Capito, RW.Va. “My kids are getting vaccinated. My grandson is getting vaccinated. I don’t agree with that.”
The indicted issue is already front and center under President Trump, whose election was chosen to lead Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long fought the vaccine with warnings that it will cause autism.
Based on its vaccine skepticism, the Florida Department of Health announced last week it would ban orders that school children will be vaccinated for many illnesses, making it the first state to take such action.
This decision affects JAB in pneumococcal diseases including hepatitis B, chickenpox, Haemophilus B, and meningitis.
Many within the GOP have expressed doubt in recent years about ordering a Covid-19 vaccine. But Florida’s daily childhood vaccination move has unleashed many Republican lawmakers who worry about decisions as well as what it means for each state as vaccine skepticism.
“That’s a scary idea,” Sen. Tom Tillis (RN.C.) told Hill. “I think that’s a bad idea, and I think it can produce… put pressure on other states to do the same.”
“I think it’s a bad policy. I don’t think it’s rooted in science. It’s rooted in political science, but not epidemiology,” he continued. “I think that’s a mistake and I hope North Carolina doesn’t touch it.”
The statement comes days after Kennedy appears before the Senate Finance Committee. There, it pushed back from multiple key Republicans about the purge of key centers for disease control and prevention officials two weeks ago by the fire of Superintendent Susan Monares.
Among them was Senate majority Whip John Baraso (R-Wyo), a doctor and stubborn supporter of President Trump.
Some House Republicans have expressed similar concerns in the direction the country is heading, warning that Kennedy’s ascension to the HHS top threatens to undermine decades-old confidence in a vaccine that experts say has saved countless lives.
“I don’t agree with him to the vaccine. It’s so simple,” said Pennsylvania centralist Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R). “Vaccinations save lives. I support them and I think the efforts to erode them are damaging our country.”
Fitzpatrick said he was hearing those same anxiety among his constituents, citing simple reasons.
“My district supports common sense,” he said.
Florida surgeon General Joseph Radapop admitted over the weekend that he was not engaged in predictions or data analysis of what it would mean to remove vaccine obligations against future outbreaks of illnesses such as measles, polio and hooping cough. He added that he does not believe such research is necessary.
“In the end, this is a very clear question about parents’ rights,” he said. “So, do you need to analyze whether it’s appropriate for parents to decide what to do? [child’s body]? There is no need to analyze that. ”
In particular, this change will not affect shots such as polio, measles, mumps, and tetanus. They are still mandatory as they are written in state law. This means that only the law can change it. Radapop told CNN’s Jake Tapper, citing “body autonomy,” that he believes these orders should be denied as well.
It’s that kind of statement that many believe is what keeps them alert to Republicans in Congress, especially widespread vaccinations, do a lot.
“I have doubts about that. When I was a kid, we all lined up and got shots,” Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said.
Mississippi was one of six states that did not allow religious exemptions to be cited until 2023. The following year, judges’ rulings requiring exemptions fell from 99% to 97.5%.
Florida’s move has been cheered by vaccine skeptics across the country, and has long argued that vaccines cause health problems. And even some vaccine advocates support new policies in the name of promoting individual freedom.
Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) is in the latter camp. They argue that vaccine requirements inevitably backfire in a “freedom-based society” like the United States, simply because people don’t want to be told what to do.
“It’s poor salesmanship to mandate things in American society, even if it’s for your health,” he said.
Doctor McCormick down the public health threat of eliminating vaccine mandate and chose to get the vaccine himself, saying that people could protect themselves and in schools.
“If you’re protected by vaccination, what are you worried about about that person?” he said.
Other physicians and health experts have long pointed to the benefits of herd immunity, or the idea that if enough people are offset by illness, those who are unable to get vaccinated due to age or a particular medical condition are also protected.
McCormick also denounced Democrats for the relatively recent outbreak of certain infectious diseases, saying they would never have arrived in the United States, if not because of former President Biden’s generous border policy.
“It’s something that puts us at risk. It’s not a vaccinated state, but the fact that we took people with known illnesses to the US and exposed the rest of us to a rather unprecedented illness,” he said.
“Democrats” [think they] We’re taking people here and not testing for illnesses and not asking them to get vaccinated,” he continued.
“That’s hypocritical.”
Other Republicans also defend Kennedy’s actions and believe he is trying to answer many of the questions he has heard from his constituents.
“I want people to be safe, but… if people are honest, do you need everything about them?” said Sen. Eric Schmidt (R-Mo.), Trump’s ally. “I just think people are hungry for more information and hope that’s what this is all about.”
Throughout the aisle, Democrats hamme these debates with warnings that public health officials should focus on science, not politics.
“You’ll see the higher prevalence of infectious diseases and some diseases you thought were in the past, like measles,” said doctor Rep. Raul Lewis (D-Calif). “If you don’t get the vaccine, you’re not only putting your life at risk, but you’re putting the lives of your neighbors, your neighbor’s children — especially the most vulnerable.”
Nationally, all but five states allow personal or religious exemptions requiring school vaccinations. That’s enough reason for some lawmakers to believe that the order should be maintained.
“Are there any exceptions from the perspective of students who may not be able to get the vaccine? That’s why everyone else should get the vaccine,” said Sen. Mike Round (Rs.D.), who served as governor and admitted to being caught off guard by Florida’s decision.
“Yes, I was surprised,” he added. “We didn’t expect that from the state health officials.”
