In a groundbreaking announcement on September 3, 2025, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, alongside Governor Ron DeSantis, declared the state’s intent to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including those for schoolchildren, college students, and nursing home residents.
This move would make Florida the first U.S. state to completely abolish vaccine requirements, a policy shift that has sparked intense debate. The decision builds on Florida’s “medical freedom” agenda, which gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, and aligns with the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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