Activists and doctors clash over repeal of school vaccine mandates

The Florida Department of Health heard hours of public comment from parents rights advocates and health care professionals on Thursday about the agency s move to repeal four vaccines required to enroll in state schools. The hearing, held in Lake Mary, saw activists praise the department for the proposal, while doctors and other health care professionals heavily criticized the move, which has been in the works for more than a year. The department wants to remove the immunization requirements for hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate to attend Florida schools. The requirements are an agency rule, not in state law, and can be repealed by the agency itself. ALSO READ: Florida Department of Health backs off on expanding vaccine exemptions Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said the decision would improve parents rights in Florida, which would then benefit the overall health of the state. A public health system where parents are