On Wednesday, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced a decisive move to eliminate all vaccine mandates in the state. During a news conference, Ladapo declared, “All of them. All of them,” as the audience erupted in applause. He expressed his strong belief that vaccine mandates are “wrong” and “immoral,” stating, “Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery.”
Ladapo emphasized that the Florida Department of Health will collaborate closely with the governor on this initiative. He raised critical questions about personal autonomy regarding health decisions, asking, “Who am I as a government or anyone else, who am I as a man standing here now, to tell you what you should put in your body?” He further questioned, “Who am I to tell you what your child should put in their body? I don’t have that right.” This stance signals a significant shift in health policy within the state.
It is important to note that while Florida is moving to eliminate vaccine mandates, the state still requires current vaccinations for students attending public schools. These requirements can be found on the Florida Health website. However, the state is not outright banning vaccinations. Ladapo clarified, “You want to put whatever different vaccines in your body, God bless you. I hope you make an informed decision. You don’t want to put whatever vaccines in your body, God bless you. I hope you make an informed decision. That’s how it should be.”
Ladapo has a history of controversial statements regarding vaccines in Florida. He previously suggested that individuals under 65 should refrain from receiving the mRNA Covid vaccine, contradicting advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During a 2024 measles outbreak, he advised parents to monitor their children for symptoms but did not promote vaccination as a preventive measure.
Ladapo's announcement coincided with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis unveiling the Florida Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) commission. This commission aims to integrate initiatives from President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The commission will be chaired by First Lady Casey DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. Other key members include Ladapo, Shevaun Harris (Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary), and Taylor Hatch (Department of Children and Families Secretary).
The Florida MAHA commission will focus on reforms that empower Floridians, reduce regulatory burdens, and hold various actors accountable for their conduct. The governor stated that the commission would foster incentives for healthy living and innovation, reflecting a broader vision for public health in Florida.
As discussions continue around health policies and personal freedoms, Florida's approach to vaccine mandates and public health will likely remain a focal point of debate and scrutiny.
