Public weighs in on potential end to some school vaccine mandates

In Panama City on Friday, state officials heard arguments for and against potential revisions to Florida Administrative Code Rule 64D-3.046 .

Proposed changes, which are backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, include expanding opt-out provisions to include religious exemptions for personal and philosophical reasons, and removal of requirements to vaccinate for Varicella (chickenpox), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and Hepatitis B (Hep B) for schools as well as Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15/20) for day care students.

Arguments abounded both to eliminate mandates and to protect the current requirements.

Susan Sweetin of the National Vaccine Information Center , appearing in her personal capacity, fought back tears as she said she was coerced into ha