Oppose Florida Legislation That Locks More Vaccines Into Law for School Attendance!

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Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would move several vaccines from Department of Health administrative rules into state law, making them mandatory for children to attend public or private K–12 schools.

SB 626 specifically adds hepatitis B, chickenpox (varicella), haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and pneumococcal disease to the list of vaccines required by statute.

These vaccines are already required under Department of Health rules, but rules can be updated or changed administratively. By putting them into law, the requirements become harder to remove or reform, even if public health guidance or medical evidence changes.

SB 626 has been referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee, Senate Education Pre-K–12 Committee, and Senate Rules Committee, where it can be advanced or blocked.

Please act TODAY.

TAKE ACTION

Contact your State Senator and urge them to OPPOSE SB 626.

Find your Florida legislators here:
 https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators

Phone calls are most effective, but emails help too.

SAMPLE SCRIPT

“Hello, my name is ___ and I’m a constituent. I’m calling to urge you to OPPOSE SB 626.

This bill would move hepatitis B, chickenpox (varicella), Hib, and pneumococcal vaccines from Department of Health rules into state law as requirements for public and private K–12 school attendance.

Currently, these vaccines are required through administrative rule, which can be updated more easily if new medical evidence emerges. SB 626 would make these requirements more permanent, requiring a legislative vote to change.

While these vaccines may be recommended for some children, mandating them in statute removes medical decision-making from parents and doctors. Families should have the right to weigh the risks and benefits of each intervention for their child without fear of losing access to education.

Locking these vaccine requirements into law undermines informed consent, parental authority, and individual health choice, and increases pressure on families to comply.

Please vote NO on SB 626.

Thank you.”

TALKING POINTS

1. SB 626 moves vaccines from rules into law. Currently, hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib, and pneumococcal vaccines are required through Department of Health rules, which can be updated administratively. Putting them into statute makes the requirements permanent unless the Legislature passes a new law to remove them.

2. Parental choice matters. Mandating vaccines in law limits families’ ability to make individualized medical decisions with their doctor based on their child’s health status, history, and risk tolerance.

3. School mandates tied to vaccination coerce families and prevent meaningful discussion about risks and benefits between parents and healthcare providers.

4. Statutory mandates are harder to change. Vaccines listed in law cannot be removed or modified easily — legislative action is slower and more politically difficult than updating Department of Health rules.

5. One size does not fit all. Children vary in health, immunity, and medical history; legal mandates ignore individual circumstances and force uniform compliance.

6. Exemptions do not eliminate pressure. While Florida allows medical and religious exemptions, moving vaccines into law increases social and administrative pressure on families to comply.

7. Education should not be conditional on medical compliance. Locking vaccines into law creates a barrier to school attendance and undermines freedom of choice.

MORE INFORMATION

SB 626 — Bill text, status, and history:
 https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/626

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