In an unprecedented move since all 50 U.S. states adopted mandates in 1980, Florida officials announced plans this week to repeal vaccine requirements for children attending public schools.

In a Sept. 3 press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis , Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo and other state leaders said Florida was working to end all vaccine mandates. During the conference, Ladapo — an already controversial figure for his handling of other public health issues, including COVID-19 and measles — compared compulsory vaccinations against diseases like polio to "slavery," saying, "Who am I to tell you what your child should put in their body? I don’t have that right. Your body is a gift from God."

The announcement was cheered by anti-vaccine and personal freedom advocates while being

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