A child vaccine bill set to be pushed through by Florida's Governor, Ron DeSantis, will face opposition from the Republican Party, representatives have confirmed.
Plans from DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to ban school vaccine requirements were criticized by Democrats and Republicans, as well as medical experts. The bill is set to receive a push this year despite the ongoing opposition to it. Amendments have also been made to the legislature, which, if passed, would mean parental preference over vaccinations is enough of a reason to exempt a child from receiving their shots.
State Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville), who is sponsoring this year’s bill, claimed the party is attempting to strike a balance between what a parent wants and public health concerns.
He said, "What we’re trying to balance here is how to best protect public health while relying on parents to make the best decision for their children in their lives. It is a delicate balance."
His GOP colleague Senator Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), disagrees with the bill in its entirety and told Politico he could not be moved from his stance against DeSantis' plan.
Harrell said, "I truly believe this is a dangerous bill and I cannot support it." Tallahassee-based pediatrician Nectar Aintablian also suggested medical professionals would have a hard time acting on the bill, should it be passed, as it would go against their training.
Aintablian said, "We take it for granted, the days when parents would come in with a nine-month old baby and ask where the shots were. As long as we can stay in the fight and do our work, we will take on the extra duty of talking and trying to explain why these are necessary.
"All I have done in my life is prevent disease and protect sick kids, and to make that point, I have to earn their trust. Because I’m one of the old timers who have seen these diseases and I don’t want to treat them again."
Jennifer Takagishi, the Florida chapter vice president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, also urged caution when it came to making decisions on child vaccinations.
She said, "They could at least listen to what you have to say based on your years of training and experience, and it's frustrating to not even have someone listen. Now they're using TikTok, some families are, to do research."