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Florida House Blocks DeSantis Vaccine-Exemption Push as Senate Hits Pause

The decision underscores a GOP rift over vaccines during a measles surge.

Overview

  • Florida’s House, which opened a special session Tuesday, refused to consider bills to expand vaccine opt-outs and regulate AI and limited its agenda to redrawing congressional districts.
  • Following the House’s move, the Senate postponed the vaccine bill as Rules Chair Kathleen Passidomo delayed consideration.
  • The proposal would create a broad conscience-based exemption for K-12 vaccines and require clinicians to offer parents alternative vaccine schedules.
  • It would also let pharmacists dispense ivermectin without a prescription and would scale back authority to require a vaccine during a public health emergency.
  • With more than 130 measles cases reported this year and MMR coverage near 89%, pediatric groups warn looser rules would spread disease, and a Cygnal poll shows 67% of voters oppose ending school vaccine requirements.