For Immediate Release: September 4, 2025

President Julie Kent, Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW)

Will Compromise Public Health, Women’s Workforce Stability, and Children’s Safety

Orlando, FL — Florida NOW vehemently condemns the reckless plan announced by Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to eliminate all vaccine requirements for schoolchildren statewide. This move endangers the health of millions, undermines decades of public health progress, and disproportionately harms women and children—especially those in low-income, Black, brown, and disabled communities.

“For decades, routine childhood vaccinations have protected our schools, our families, and our economy,” said Julie Kent, President of Florida NOW. “Rolling back these requirements is not just irresponsible—it’s a direct attack on public health and parental peace of mind and health.”

Florida’s current mandates include vaccines for measles, polio, pertussis, and other highly contagious diseases. Removing these protections will:

•  Expose immunocompromised children and infants to preventable illness
• Force working mothers—especially single parents—to miss work to care for sick children
• Increase school absences, destabilizing learning environments and widening equity gaps
• Threaten childcare and early education centers with outbreaks that could shutter facilities

Already, Florida’s kindergarten vaccination rate has dropped below 90%—well under the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. Experts warn that this rollback could trigger a resurgence of diseases once considered eliminated.

“This is not about parental rights—it’s about political theater at the expense of our children’s lives,” said Debbie Deland VP of FL NOW. “There are no credible medical studies that conclude vaccines are broadly unsafe. The study showing a connection between autism and vaccines was totally discredited. The science and medical research are clear that vaccines are critical to the health of our communities. There are exceptions for people, including children who should not get vaccines, e.g., immunocompromised. Women will bear the brunt of this crisis, as caregivers, educators, and frontline workers. We will lose many children’s lives. We don’t remember the days of polio (all the dead and crippled), measles (children and adults die), severe flu (not enough coffins) because it is not part of our lived experience. We can’t be stupid and ignore the lessons of history. Ladapo should be ashamed of bringing God into the discussion of vaccines. God expects us to apply our knowledge to protect our communities. FL NOW demands school vaccinations with only medical science-based exceptions.”

Florida NOW calls on legislators, school boards, and community leaders to reject this dangerous proposal and uphold science-based health protections. We urge parents, educators, and advocates to mobilize against this rollback and demand a future where every child can learn in safety.

About Florida NOW

Florida NOW is a statewide feminist organization committed to intersectional advocacy, systemic change, and the protection of women’s rights, health, and safety. We fight for policies that center equity, science, and justice.