New Florida bill aims to expand school vaccine exemptions for students; progresses in Senate

A new bill in Florida is stirring conversation among parents about whether to vaccinate their children. 

Senate Bill 1756, also known as the Medical Freedom Act, proposes a "conscience-based" exemption to school vaccination requirements. The bill, which is currently moving through the Florida Legislature, passed through a Senate committee on Monday. 

While some parents are skeptical, believing vaccinations are essential for their children's safety, others are considering the bill's potential impact.

Dr. Sara Lane, a pediatrician in Southwest Florida with 15 years of experience, shared her insights on the matter.

"One of the things that I've seen increasing, you know, over my career, is the number of people who are choosing not to vaccinate their children for a variety of reasons, and so we are starting to see more of those diseases circulating," said Dr. Lane.

The bill raises concerns about the resurgence of diseases like measles and whooping cough in Florida. 

"In order for a disease not to circulate, a contagious disease not to circulate in our community, we need to maintain a certain percentage of people who are vaccinated against that disease," said Dr. Lane. "That way, if someone does get it, they can't spread it to anyone else around them, or else they spread it to someone who spreads it to someone who spreads it to someone so as we've seen the vaccine rates decline over the years, we've started seeing these diseases that previously were either eradicated or much less common coming back."

These diseases may become more prevalent if the state no longer mandates vaccines for school entry. 

However, Dr. Lane believes that the bill might not significantly change vaccination rates.

"We have medical exemptions and religious exemptions," said Lane. "I've seen many, many parents over the years with more of a philosophical reason for not vaccinating who have gone under the umbrella of religious exemptions, because, again, they don't have to provide their religion or any details or its tenets. So I don't really see a massive increase coming, because I think the people who are choosing not to vaccinate are already doing so and already making that choice."

The bill still needs to pass through two more committees before it can be presented to the full Senate. If approved, it would become law and take effect on July 1.