Florida Ends Vaccine Mandates: What IPs Must Do Now

Florida flag with a medical professional holding a vaccination needle and vial.

(Adobe Stock 415710890 by Александр Бердюгин

Florida has announced sweeping plans to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including those for children attending schools—a move that would make it the first state in the nation to do so entirely. The decision, led by State Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD, and Governor Ron DeSantis (R), has sparked fierce debate over public health implications and professional response.

This change will endanger everyone in the community, Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC, a member of the Infection Control Today^® (ICT^®) editorial advisory board, told ICT. “Public health has always relied on guardrails, like seat belts in cars or helmets on bikes, to keep individuals and communities safe,” Stoltzfus said. “Removing vaccine mandates dismantles one of our most effective protections, not only for children but for society as a whole.”

What’s Happening?

• Elimination of mandates: Florida intends to revoke vaccine requirements for diseases like measles, mumps, polio, hepatitis B, chickenpox, and more, currently required for schoolchildren and daycare attendance. Ladapo, a longtime vaccine skeptic, criticized existing mandates as “oppressive” and likened them to “slavery,” framing the policy shift as a defense of personal freedom.

Stoltzfus, who is also the research nurse program manager for Johns Hopkins Office of Population Health in Baltimore, Maryland, emphatically refutes that claim. “Vaccines are not about limiting freedom; they are about preserving life. They protect us from infectious diseases that once left parents terrified that their children wouldn’t reach their fifth birthday.”

• Political context: Governor DeSantis supports the move and plans to work with the legislature to repeal any mandates enshrined in law. He also announced the formation of a “Make America Healthy Again” commission to push a broader medical freedom agenda.
• Widespread concern: Public health leaders warn that removing immunization requirements risks outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr Tina Tan of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and other experts have voiced strong opposition. "You're going to get multiple outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease and spread of these diseases," she said. "These kids are going to bring it home."

“We are concerned that today’s announcement by Gov. DeSantis will put children in Florida public schools at higher risk for getting sick,” Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, wrote in a statement.

Mary Beth Miotto, MD, MPH, a staff pediatrician for Mattapan Community Health Center in Boston, wrote on LinkedIn, “Parents deserve to know that their children's schools are not contributing to their risk of severe infections that have historically caused children to die.
I stand with Florida parents and children and agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics that we need to keep schools healthy by keeping children immunized.”

What This Means for Infection Prevention Personnel

Without the protective barrier of mandatory childhood vaccinations, infection prevention professionals (IPs) may face increased risks, particularly outbreaks of measles, polio, or varicella. IPs will need to be vigilant and prepared for sudden spikes in communicable diseases that have been largely controlled.

With immunization coverage likely to decline, IP teams may see rising demands for contact tracing and outbreak investigations. Heightened surveillance, reporting, and resource allocation will be essential to contain the spread effectively.

IPs may find themselves called upon more frequently to educate school districts, pediatric clinics, and community organizations about disease prevention—including promoting voluntary vaccination, reinforcing hygiene, and managing communicable disease exposure.

In addition,this policy shift creates ambiguity between traditional IP guidance and emerging political mandates. IPs must navigate evolving legal terrain while continuing to uphold evidence-based standards—potentially advocating for best practices in political and administrative settings.

Looking Ahead

Infection prevention professionals are now essential frontline defenders in an environment where historic safeguards are being dismantled. Proactive strategies could include:

• Targeted community outreach in schools and childcare centers to promote voluntary vaccination.
• Enhancing surveillance systems to quickly identify emerging outbreaks.
• Collaborating with public health agencies to create contingency plans for high-risk populations.
• Advocating within institutions for internal vaccine policies or educational mandates, even if state mandates are withdrawn.

Florida’s decision signifies a significant shift in public health. For those involved in infection prevention, the task now is to maintain safety, science, and readiness despite changing policies and keep protecting communities even when the policy landscape becomes more unpredictable. “Reversing decades of progress in disease prevention places us all at greater risk, and it is a step backward for the health and safety of our communities,” Stoltzfus said.