October 8, 2026 – The Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FCAAP) is alarmed by the Florida Department of Health’s proposed revisions to Rule 64D-3.046, Florida Administrative Code. If enacted, the rule would remove the requirement that children attending K-12 public schools be immunized against hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and pneumococcal diseases. Pediatricians, parents, and advocates testified today before Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Department of Health officials, firmly opposing the department’s efforts to weaken Florida’s school immunization requirements and underscoring vaccines’ proven role in keeping children healthy and classrooms safe.
“As physicians and public health leaders, it is our responsibility to make informed decisions about issues that impact the health and wellbeing of our communities and the patients we care for. FCAAP remains deeply concerned that this proposal removing the requirement that children be immunized against four vaccine-preventable diseases is not based on any new data or evidence that justifies such a significant departure from this state’s longstanding policy that has helped keep our children and communities healthy for decades,” said FCAAP President Dr. Jennifer Takagishi. “We will continue urging the Department of Health to reject this proposal and maintain our state’s evidence-based school vaccine entry requirements that have kept generations of Floridians healthy and active in their classrooms and communities.”
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.
