Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo gestures as speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)2025-09-04T18:47:10Z As the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis prepares to make Florida the first state to remove school vaccine mandates, deep concern is spreading among doctors, parents and public health workers for the safety of children, their families and others who might be vulnerable in a disease outbreak.They fear that dreaded diseases, held in check for decades by vaccines, could flare up again if too many people in Florida arent immunized. Heres what to know about Floridas plan: DeSantis calls this medical freedomWhile states traditionally follow federal guidance when it comes to vaccines, school mandates are set by state health departments. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced Wednesday that the health department would begin taking steps immediately to eliminate these mandates, calling them immoral intrusions on peoples rights that hamper parents ability to make health decisions for their children.Were going to end it, Ladapo said, without providing details or a timeline.The Health Department also did not immediately respond to questions about other vaccine requirements, such as for certain workplaces. Many such requirements are enshrined in state law and would require legislative approval. DeSantis appointed Ladapo and his wife Casey DeSantis to a commission thats drafting a broader medical freedom measure expected to be introduced in the next legislative session. School nurses sound alarmIf theyre able to go through with it, theyre just opening a door to a health crisis thats 100 percent preventable, said Lynn Nelson, president of the National Association of School Nurses.Schools are a microcosm of society, and when students go home, they can bring diseases to vulnerable people such as infants and the elderly, Nelson said.Measles, mumps and pertussis also known as whooping cough -- are among the preventable diseases Nelson is most concerned about if Floridas plan succeeds. Measles, a highly contagious illness, can create life-threatening situations for infants and small children, she said.There are outbreaks all over the country right now, and they will spread in any state or community where the vaccine rate drops, she said. Florida already lags nation in vaccination ratesEven before Wednesdays announcement, Florida lagged the rest of the United States when it came to kindergarteners being immunized for diseases like measles, mumps and rubella, with 88.7% immunized in 2025, compared to more than 92% nationwide, according to state and federal health statistics.New religious exemptions to vaccines have also increased, to 6.4% among children age 5-17 years old, and as much as 15% in some counties, as of April 2025.Thats according to the Florida Health Departments monthly online Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance Report, which was last updated on May 29. At the time, it showed cases of hepatitis A, whooping cough and chickenpox were increasing in Florida. Why are vaccines needed?Since the first safe and effective polio vaccine was released for use in the United States in 1955, vaccines have become a cornerstone of public health, keeping schoolchildren and adults safe from infectious diseases that had afflicted populations for centuries.Timely and up-to-date required vaccinations are essential to protecting school-age children, youth, and the public from preventable, serious infectious diseases, according to a recent position paper from the National Association of School Nurses. Vaccine exemptions should be eliminated, except when necessary for validated medical contraindications, the group said.Doctors will have an important role in battling the misinformation spreading online, by trying to explain how vaccines work and how theyre developed, said Dr. Joshua Laban, a primary care physician in Miami. I think the worst-case scenario is that, you know, our vaccination rate declined and some of these diseases become emergent and then become endemic in our communities once again, Laban said. How could this affect Floridas tourism industry?Its unclear how a decline in vaccinations might affect Floridas top business its $128 billion tourism industry. Florida is among the top U.S. destinations, with 143 million visitors last year.Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and other Orlando theme parks no longer require proof of vaccinations for employees, due to Florida laws passed in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that limit employers power to require such protection. Representatives for Disney and Universal didnt respond to inquiries Thursday asking them about the potential impact of more unvaccinated children.Florida also is home to a cruise line industry with a $24 billion economic impact, according the Cruise Lines International Association. Most cruise lines dont have any vaccine requirements. But the CDC has recommended that passengers be vaccinated against COVID and the flu, and that they check which other vaccines may be recommended based on the countries theyre visiting. JEFF MARTIN Martin covers a variety of topics including crime, hurricanes, and civil rights across the southeastern U.S. He was a member of the AP team named a finalist for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting for the Lethal Restraint project. mailto MIKE SCHNEIDER Schneider covers census, demographics and Florida for The Associated Press. Author of 2023 book, Mickey and the Teamsters. twitter mailto DANIEL KOZIN Kozin is an Associated Press video journalist based in Miami. He covers everything from hurricanes to politics to environmental issues, as well as South Floridas many cultural communities. twitter mailto