STATEMENT: Florida Voices for Health Responds to Department of Health Workshop to Repeal Childhood Vaccine Requirements

Florida – Today, the Florida Department of Health held a workshop to consider a proposal that would repeal vaccination requirements for children in public schools, including critical immunizations for Hepatitis B, chickenpox, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

In response, Scott Darius, Executive Director with Florida Voices for Health, shared the following statement.

"While we recognize the skepticism that some Floridians feel about the safety of vaccines, the research shows they are extremely effective, and polling shows that an overwhelming majority of Floridians support the requirements. Florida parents’ views are similar to those nationwide, with 82% saying public schools should require these vaccines and 17% saying they should not.

These changes will put Florida's children and communities at greater risk for diseases that are easy to prevent."

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About Florida Voices for Health

Florida Voices for Health is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to improve health care outcomes for all Floridians. We are a coalition of community organizations, businesses, and individuals working to create a health care system that works for every Floridian. Our partners work together to bring the latest resources and information into our communities. We also make sure that the stories and the interests of hard working, low and moderate income Floridians are represented in the health reform debate.