By Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection
A leading public health expert and disease modeler at the University of Florida warns that Florida’s relaxation of school vaccine mandates could have serious public health consequences.
The policy shift, championed by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, a COVID-19 vaccine critic, emphasizes parental choice over requirements for diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough.
Related: Measles reaches highest level in 33 years, now in 39 states.
But Ira Longini, PhD, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida, said the science is clear: Lower vaccination rates will lead to more disease. He pointed to state data showing that childhood vaccine coverage has already slipped from over 90% to around 80% in the last decade.
"So by relaxing the vaccine mandates, if there’s a decrease in coverage, then there’ll be more of these infectious diseases in our children," said Longini. "It’s that simple. It’s not a theoretical question. It’s just what will happen."
Longini co-authored a 2023 meta-analysis confirming COVID-19 vaccines provided meaningful protection, especially against severe disease from the Omicron variant.
He said the current scientific consensus on vaccine efficacy and safety is rock solid, published in top journals like The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine. He added that these sweeping changes appear to be made without consulting recognized scientific experts.
Longini expressed particular concern about measles, one of the most contagious diseases. It requires 95% vaccination coverage to prevent community spread, and he said the current trend in vaccinations for the disease is moving in the wrong direction.
"I’m really worried about measles eventually in the schools and kindergartens and among children in Florida," said Longini. "So far, we haven't had much of a problem, but already, vaccination coverage has been coming down. Once you start getting below 80% coverage, if there should be introductions, we’re going to have problems."
The debate over vaccine mandates has intensified nationally, with Florida’s surgeon general recently likening them to “slavery,” a comment Longini called a “completely inappropriate reference.”
The policy change allows parents to opt out of school vaccine requirements more easily.
How to get vaccinations in Orange County and Apopka
As Florida debates vaccine mandates, local health experts stress that access to childhood and adult immunizations remains widely available. In Orange County, families can schedule vaccinations through the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange), which operates clinics throughout the region.
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Call (407) 723-5004 or visit orange.floridahealth.gov to make an appointment.
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Vaccines are offered at the Central Health Center (832 W. Central Blvd., Orlando) and other satellite clinics.
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For those who qualify, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides free school vaccines for children.
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Pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, and Publix also provide many routine vaccinations for adults and teens.
In Apopka:
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Florida Department of Health Apopka Health Center (1111 Rock Springs Rd., Apopka) offers childhood and adult vaccines, including back-to-school immunizations.
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CVS Pharmacy—Hunt Club Blvd. & Rock Springs Rd. and Walgreens—S. Park Ave. & Semoran Blvd. provides flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, shingles vaccines, and other adult immunizations.
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Publix Pharmacy – Wekiva Riverwalk and Apopka Commons locations also provide routine vaccines for children (age 7+) and adults.
Public health officials emphasize that keeping vaccination rates high is critical to preventing the return of dangerous diseases like measles, whooping cough, and mumps.
