TAMPA, FL - On March 5, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis called on the CDC to stop recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for children. Additionally, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis called on the Florida Legislature to make permanent the state prohibitions on mRNA mandates and to add vaccination status protections to the Patient's Bill of Rights.

“Guided by common sense and sound science, Florida has led the way in protecting patients’ rights. Now is the time to secure these protections and do even more to defend medical freedom,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Let’s keep Florida the beacon of freedom in health care, where the rights of all patients are enshrined permanently in law.”

“Today, Governor DeSantis, Surgeon General Ladapo, and I called on the Florida Legislature to make permanent the prohibitions against the COVID mRNA vaccine mandate,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Florida stood in the breach to protect people during COVID, now it’s time to make sure these protections last.”

“I am deeply grateful to Governor Ron and First Lady Casey DeSantis for continuing to put the needs and rights of Floridians first,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo. “These proposals will strengthen the sovereignty of patients, and we look forward to advancing these issues with our federal partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

Calling on the Federal Government to End Recommendations of the COVID Vaccine for Children

In March of 2022, Florida was the first state in the nation to issue guidance stating that healthy children from ages 5 to 17 may not benefit from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Results from studies raise concerns that mRNA vaccines are associated with more harm than initially estimated at the tie of the emergency authorization.

In 2021, the FDA authorized and the CDC began recommending the COVID mRNA vaccine for children, without sufficient evidence or data that it provided health benefits. In fact, in clinical trials, children and adolescents who received the COVD shots experienced higher rates of adverse effects, including lower respiratory tract infections. Experimental mRNA shots should not be recommended to children.

Calling on the Florida Legislature to Permanently Ban mRNA Mandates

On June 1, 2025, current law sunsets several provisions which provide protections against mRNA vaccine mandates.

If this goes into effect, schools and higher education would be able to mandate students get mRNA vaccines. 

Additionally, government entities and businesses could mandate employees get mRNA vaccines or be fired.

Calling on the Florida Legislature to Add Vaccination Status Protections to the Patient's Bill of Rights

Floridians should not be kicked out of their doctor’s office or denied treatment for choosing to not get a vaccine.

Proposed language would update Florida Statutes to prohibit health care providers and facilities from discriminating against a patient on their vaccination status.