In October 2026, the Florida Department of Health proposed removing four vaccination requirements for access to schools and childcare: Hib, chickenpox, pneumococcal and hepatitis B. This easing of restrictions could reduce vaccination coverage and undermine herd immunity, particularly exposing children who are too young or medically vulnerable. The state reported 162 measles cases as of Oct. 17, 2026, including at least 62 linked to an outbreak at Ave Maria University, while only 88.9% of Florida kindergartners received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine during the 2025-26 school year. The removal of county-level measles data in May 2026, the lack of a dashboard and publication delays have since hindered outbreak monitoring. These requirements helped cut invasive Hib infections among young children by 99%, virtually eliminate chickenpox deaths among people under 20 and reduce perinatal hepatitis B infections by 75% between 1987 and 2000.
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