The Florida Department of Health has formally proposed a rule to remove four vaccines from the state's school entry requirements, naming hepatitis B, varicella, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and pneumococcal conjugate as immunizations that would no longer be required for attendance in public and private schools from prekindergarten through twelfth grade.
Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo approved the rule on August 20, opening a 21-day window for public comment before final approval, according to Health News Florida. Under state law, the department can adopt the rule with the Surgeon General's approval, and it takes effect once filed with the Department of State. Because the four requirements were set by agency rule rather than statute, the department can remove them without legislative approval. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
