Florida Republicans reject plan to weaken childhood vaccine requirements

Florida Republicans delivered a rare bipartisan rebuke to anti-vaccine momentum by voting down a proposal to weaken childhood vaccine requirements. The 28-12 defeat in a red state legislature saw 11 GOP lawmakers cross party lines, blocking a measure that would have expanded personal belief exemptions. This outcome stands in stark contrast to #7, where ABC faces a political license threat, as it shows institutional resistance—not litigation—curbing populist pressure. Data from the Florida Department of Health indicates childhood immunization rates had already dipped 3% in 2025, raising outbreak risks for measles and whooping cough. The vote preserves mandates that cover 14 diseases, protecting over 90% of school-age children. Lawmakers cited both public health data and constituent concerns, making this a landmark defeat for an anti-vaccine push that has gained traction nationally.