SEPTEBER 30, 2026 – Tallahassee, Florida – With today’s notice from the Florida Department of Health scheduling a hearing on its proposed revisions to Rule 64D-3.046, Florida Administrative Code, the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FCAAP) remains concerned about efforts to weaken Florida’s school vaccination policies and make it easier to opt out of childhood immunizations.
Florida’s pediatricians will continue to make their voices heard in opposition to this proposed rule that would undermine the health of Florida’s children and communities. When school vaccine protections are eliminated, immunization rates decrease, leaving more people, including those too young or medically unable to be vaccinated themselves, vulnerable to contracting these dangerous illnesses. The vaccines against Hepatitis B, Varicella (chickenpox), Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib), and Pneumococcal disease are paramount for the protection of Florida’s children, immunocompromised persons, and the elderly from infections of the brain, lungs, eyes, and hearts.
FCAAP submitted a comment in opposition to the proposed rule. It is available HERE.
About the Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics:
Through its approximately 2,900 members, the Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics promotes the health and welfare of Florida’s children and supports pediatricians and pediatric specialists as the best qualified providers of their health care.
