Florida intends to abolish all compulsory childhood vaccination requirements within the state, breaking new ground as the first to do so.

Florida is making waves in the world of public health policy, with Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announcing the state's intention to dismantle vaccine mandates for students attending public schools and child day care facilities. This decision, according to the American Medical Association, could undermine decades of progress in public health.

Ladapo, in a statement, described forcing vaccine mandates as an "immoral" intrusion on people's rights and parents' ability to make decisions for their children. He further implied a potential political conflict, stating that people will have to make a decision and choose a side.

The Florida Surgeon General's stance on vaccine mandates has garnered support from some quarters. Dr. Robert Malone, recently appointed to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention's independent vaccine advisory, praised Ladapo as a "measured scientist who is on fire to change the system for the better."

However, health organisations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics are expressing concerns. They believe that Florida's plan to end vaccine mandates could put children in Florida public schools at higher risk for getting sick.

The move towards vaccine freedom in Florida is part of a broader initiative. The state has established the Florida Make America Healthy Again commission, which is directly linked to the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" program. The commission aims to implement the health directives of the former Trump administration at the state level, focusing on promoting nutritious food, transparency in healthcare, preventing chronic diseases, restoring trust in medical professions, and reducing regulatory burdens while fostering healthy living and innovation in Florida.

The WHO has reported that vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives globally over the past 50 years, mainly infants and children. This data underscores the importance of vaccinations, a point echoed by US medical organisations in response to Ladapo's announcement.

It's important to note that neither Ladapo nor Malone have provided any new information related to their past criticisms of vaccines, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic where they opposed restrictions and promoted misinformation about vaccinations and public health.

Ladapo did not provide a timeline for the proposal but stated the department would work with lawmakers alongside Governor Ron DeSantis to implement the change. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Florida's decision will impact the broader landscape of vaccine mandates in the United States.

Florida intends to abolish all compulsory childhood vaccination requirements within the state, breaking new ground as the first to do so.