Florida bill would broaden vaccine exemptions while preserving key school vaccines

Florida Republicans advanced a bill to broaden parental vaccine exemptions (adding a conscience-based opt-out) while preserving mandatory vaccines for MMR, DTaP, and polio, and it would require providers to discuss risks and benefits with parents. The 6-4 health policy committee vote signals a split in the GOP as Surgeon General Ladapo’s broader anti-vaccine agenda faces pushback, while the state health department is weighing potential removal of several non-mandated vaccines.