Florida residents have until 5 p.m. Oct. 19 to comment on a state proposal that would remove four vaccines from the list required for child care and school entry. The Florida Department of Health rule would drop requirements for hepatitis B, chickenpox (varicella), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
The proposal drew hours of testimony at a public hearing in Lake Mary on Oct. 8, where physicians warned that fewer vaccinated children could mean more preventable infections in classrooms and day care centers, according to WUSF's report on the hearing. Supporters said the change would return decisions to parents.
