DeSantis Pushes Vaccine Mandate Changes as Florida Reports 134 Measles Cases
Florida faces 134 confirmed measles cases while Governor DeSantis pushes Legislature to make school vaccine requirements easier to avoid.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered the Florida Legislature to consider his “medical freedom” proposal during a special session this week, even as the state faces its fourth-highest measles outbreak in the nation with 134 confirmed cases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Florida has recorded 134 confirmed measles cases as of April 23, making it the fourth most affected state nationally. Florida Department of Health data shows a slightly lower count of 131 confirmed cases as of April 17.
DeSantis continues to advocate for legislation that would make it easier for parents to opt out of required vaccines for public school students, despite the ongoing outbreak affecting communities across the state.
Special Session to Address Vaccine Policy
The four-day special session begins Tuesday and will tackle congressional redistricting, artificial intelligence legislation, and DeSantis’ vaccine mandate proposal. The Senate Rules Committee will consider SB 6D on Tuesday, sponsored by Jacksonville Republican Senator Clay Yarborough.
The bill is identical to SB 1756, also sponsored by Yarborough, which passed the Senate during the 2026 regular session but died after never being considered in the House. DeSantis has made clear he will continue pushing the issue as a priority for the remainder of his term.
Governor’s Term-Limited Push
DeSantis, who will be term-limited out of office in January, has maintained his commitment to the “medical freedom” initiative throughout his final year in office. The governor has framed the legislation as protecting parental rights in medical decisions for their children.
The timing of the special session coincides with Florida’s measles outbreak, which health officials have been monitoring closely. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause serious complications, particularly in young children and adults with compromised immune systems.
The proposed legislation would modify current state requirements that mandate certain vaccinations for students attending public schools. Under existing law, parents must provide proof of vaccination or obtain medical or religious exemptions for their children to attend school.
Yarborough’s bill represents the latest attempt to advance the governor’s vaccine policy agenda after previous efforts stalled in the legislative process. The senator has been a consistent supporter of expanding parental choice in vaccination decisions.
Public Health Concerns
Health advocates have expressed concern about loosening vaccination requirements during an active measles outbreak. The CDC considers measles eliminated in the United States when sustained by high vaccination rates, but outbreaks can occur when vaccination coverage drops in communities.
Florida’s current measles cases represent a significant public health challenge, with the state ranking among the top four nationally for confirmed infections this year. The outbreak has prompted increased surveillance and contact tracing efforts by state health officials.
The special session’s focus on multiple issues, including the vaccine proposal, congressional redistricting, and artificial intelligence regulation, reflects the governor’s priorities as he approaches the end of his second term. Legislative leaders will need to balance these competing agenda items during the compressed four-day session.
