What happens in Florida doesn’t necessarily stay in Florida. Public health experts and physicians nationwide are worried about the possible impacts of what many are calling an “anti-science” vaccine policy.
This week, health officials in Florida revealed more about their plans to end many school vaccination requirements. During a Sept. 8 press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on these changes, which the state health department says will take effect 90 days after his Sept. 3 announcement, or early December (which happens to be around the time New York’s snowbirds begin their sojourn).
What Florida’s new vaccine policy does
The state’s policy will drop hepatitis B, chickenpox, haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate shots from its school immunization schedule. Requirements for polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella vaccines will remain in place unless the Legislature makes changes, according to the state Department of Health. The health department didn’t mention Covid vaccines, as the state has never required these vaccines for schoolchildren.
DeSantis and Florida’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, first announced their plan to “end all vaccines” at a press conference last week, with Dr. Ladapo saying the immunization requirements “drip with disdain and slavery.”
We spoke with Dr. Stephen Thomas, director of the Global Health Institute at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, about how Florida’s policy changes might affect New Yorkers and what to know. A physician and scientist, Dr. Thomas studies infectious diseases and the development of vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and medical devices. His work directly relates to the very tools that Dr. Ladapo has publicly questioned and, in some cases, opposed — particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and in response to measles outbreaks.
Shortly after our interview, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an executive order around Covid vaccine access in New York. We have more questions on how this will work and will keep reporting on what we know so far.
Edited excerpts from our conversation with Dr. Thomas:
Epicenter NYC: Can you explain Florida’s vaccine policy shift?
Dr. Thomas: From the governor and surgeon general’s recent press conference, it seems they want to remove all required vaccines for schoolchildren. No vaccine would be required for a child to attend school. I’m not sure if this will extend to daycare or other institutions that care for children. But at least for schools, it appears they want to eliminate those requirements.
Epicenter NYC: And that applies to all vaccines, not just Covid-19?
Dr. Thomas: The surgeon general gave it a very enthusiastic “all vaccines.” This is across the board.
Epicenter NYC: How could this affect New Yorkers?
Dr. Thomas: Infectious disease outbreaks often start in a single location and then spread quickly because people are mobile. You can pick up a bug in Florida, go to the airport, expose people there, get on the plane, expose more people, and then bring it home — to your school, your workplace, your community. The measles epidemic we’ve seen in recent years is a clear example. Lots of people travel to and from Florida. That mobility is what makes this relevant for New Yorkers. There is also a significant number of New Yorkers who spend the fall and winter (i.e., respiratory virus season) in Florida.
Epicenter NYC: For New Yorkers thinking about going to Florida — say Disney World, now that we’re in the travel off-season — what’s the risk?
Dr. Thomas: If you’re vaccinated against diseases that are targeted by current school vaccination policies, you will reduce your risk of infection and significantly reduce the likelihood of severe outcomes — hospitalization, ICU admission, or death – if you do get infected. That’s what vaccines are supposed to do. If you’re traveling, make the effort to ensure you’re in the safest position possible to enjoy your trip and not bring home from your vacation more than just souvenirs.
Epicenter NYC: What steps should New Yorkers take before heading to Florida?
Dr. Thomas:
- Recognize that germs are out there and can make people very sick — but we have tools like vaccines to prevent this from occurring.
- Know yourself: Are you healthy? Are you at an age (65 years or older) or have medical problems such as diabetes, kidney, lung, or heart disease which place you at high risk?
- Understand where you’re going. Check if there are outbreaks in the county or state you’ll visit.
- Educate yourself on the risks and benefits of vaccines using multiple objective sources of truthful information.
- Talk to a trusted medical provider so you can make decisions based on accurate information, not misinformation.
Epicenter NYC: Shifting to Covid, the CDC lists “physical inactivity” as a risk factor for severe Covid. Can you explain?
Dr. Thomas: It’s one of the more unique conditions on the CDC list. It basically means not meeting the recommendation for over two hours of moderate intensity activity each week or more than an hour of vigorous activity each week. Moderate activity is like a brisk walk while vigorous activity would be running.
For other age groups, there are nearly two dozen conditions that raise their risk. The science also shows that vaccination reduces the risk from long Covid, which can cause lasting problems like brain fog, cardiovascular issues, and breathing problems.
Epicenter NYC: States like New York are forming regional health coalitions. Could that help?
Dr. Thomas: Yes. Typically, federal agencies like FDA and CDC set guidance, and medical societies align with them. But advisory groups have been disbanded or repopulated in ways that raise questions about expertise and independence. So states are increasingly taking the lead, forming coalitions, and issuing their own rational, evidence-based guidelines. They’re also removing barriers, like prescription requirements, through executive orders. I think we’ll see more of this state-level action.
Epicenter NYC: Could state-level guidance conflict with federal recommendations — especially around insurance coverage or pharmacy access?
Dr. Thomas: Possibly. We already see off-label uses of drugs, less so with vaccines. Governors want to reassure clinicians they can make patient-centered decisions without liability concerns.
But confusion around prescriptions could take pharmacies out of the equation, which is significant since most New Yorkers get Covid shots at pharmacies. Confusing policy also may make insurers and vaccine producers hesitant as they think about liability, which can limit access even without an official ban.
Epicenter NYC: What about kids under the age cutoffs set by CDC?
Dr. Thomas: That would require off-label use, meaning pediatricians and parents agree to proceed despite federal guidance. Every decision to take a drug or administer a vaccine is based on an assessment of potential risk and benefit. Saying kids under two shouldn’t be vaccinated, when we know they’re at higher risk of severe Covid, is a disconnect. That puts clinicians and families in tough spots.
Epicenter NYC: Some New Yorkers say they’ll travel abroad to get vaccines. Have you heard that?
Dr. Thomas: Yes. Of course, most people likely don’t have that option. I am getting mixed messages from people trying to get vaccinated. I’ve heard people say pharmacies are on pause until federal guidance is clearer. Others say they booked appointments online without issue. Some were told they needed a prescription. Some were outright turned away. I understand pharmacies are in a tough spot — there are rules on what they can and cannot do. This confusion puts them in a very difficult position.
Epicenter NYC: Anything else you’d like New Yorkers to know?
Dr. Thomas: More responsibility is falling on patients and their clinicians to seek out truthful information to support personal decisions about vaccination. It used to be clearer when experts inside and outside the government agreed on the overarching assessment of a vaccine’s risk and benefit. That’s no longer the case. The career scientists at the CDC and FDA continue to produce high quality and evidenced based assessments and recommendations but it would appear these are not always the views being shared.
I would advise going to your state and county health department websites and speaking with your trusted clinicians. In addition, I would recommend looking at the opinions of medical societies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for patient specific recommendations.
Remember, surveys show 4 out of 5 Americans — across political lines — continue to support requiring certain vaccinations for kids to attend school. So while policies like Florida’s get attention, the vast majority still believe in protecting children through vaccination.
