What would happen if Missouri schools stopped requiring vaccines? This isn’t too far-fetched, because Florida just made it real.

Florida will soon become the first U.S. state not to mandate vaccines at school. This means parents can choose whether or not to vaccinate their children, and still send them to public schools. Florida’s Health Director, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, even claimed in a press conference that vaccine mandates are tied to racism. While many parents in states like Missouri have had the option to have a religious exemption, the new policy goes a step further by removing the need for any reason at all.

This is a risky and impulsive decision by the Florida government. Removing these mandates risks health issues among children. Why do this? Florida is claiming “freedom and choice” as a reason to allow vaccine exemptions, but all these parents are really doing is risking the health of others. There are many people who, for various reasons, are immunocompromised or cannot get vaccines themselves. Those people depend on “herd immunity,” meaning a significant percentage of the population getting vaccinated to prevent diseases. If more people claim exemptions and don’t vaccinate their kids, that “herd immunity” can be in danger and people can become susceptible to diseases we previously had eradicated, like polio and smallpox. All you have to do is open your history books to see the awful pictures of people covered in smallpox or paralyzed by polio. Is this what we want to become again? It could happen if more states make laws like Florida is doing. 

The decision to go forward with the no vaccine mandate was made by the state government and primarily by state governor Ron DeSantis. The no-vaccine mandate will take effect in about 90 days. This mandate will include all diseases, including polio and measles.

Once this Florida law takes effect, you can bet that states like Texas and even Missouri could follow its lead. 

In Missouri, students are still required to have vaccines like MMR, polio, and chicken pox before attending school, unless a parent submits a medical or religious exemption. Florida’s new policy removes the need for any reason at all, which is a major change. It’s important to consider how changes like these could impact public health, parental rights, and school safety in Missouri if similar ideas are introduced.

 I think that having no mandate in schools could be risky because of the concerns of protecting public health and reducing the possible spread. If you decide not to get a vaccine, it can affect others.

While this mandate claims to support personal freedom and parental rights, many parents worry about diseases spreading to their children.

Not having a mandate could have consequences. Schools could have outbreaks of diseases like COVID-19 and chicken pox with fewer students vaccinated. With fewer people vaccinated, staff and students could feel unsafe and paranoid at school. Sure, families will have more freedom and choice, but others could be worried about the risks of the diseases. 

I think vaccine mandates should be required in schools. The health of the younger generation should be prioritized. In a close and full environment, not being vaccinated is a huge safety risk. Not being vaccinated doesn’t only affect you; it affects everyone around you, and that is not fair to your peers.

 The decision not to require vaccinations in Florida will only harm. Vaccines have been proven to be effective in reducing illness and protecting. Without a vaccine mandate, schools will have outbreaks, and it will disrupt the learning process. This will only endanger the students, teachers, and their families. Requiring vaccinations in school is responsible and necessary to create a safe environment.