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FLORIDA - State records indicated an increasing number of Florida parents are opting for religious exemptions to avoid vaccinating their children.
While the majority of students in Miami-Dade and Broward public schools are vaccinated, data shows a steady rise in non-medical exemptions, a trend that has accelerated in recent years.
State records indicate that over 6% of children aged 5-17 have been granted religious exemptions from vaccination requirements, with some counties nearing 15%.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Goldhagen, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Florida, this has dropped immunization rates below the 95% threshold needed to prevent widespread outbreaks.
“We’ve reached a point where we no longer have herd immunity,” he warned.
The issue extends beyond Florida. The CDC reports measles cases in at least 15 states, with recent outbreaks linked to two unvaccinated individuals who died from the virus.
In March, a student at Miami Palmetto Senior High Schooltested positive for measles, heightening concerns among parents and school officials.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo acknowledges the increase in exemptions but maintains that parents should have the right to make their own choices about vaccinations.
He attributes the shift to growing distrust in public health agencies following the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Florida Department of Health has pledged to release updated vaccine guidance, no specifics have been provided.
Meanwhile, health experts warn that declining vaccination rates could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases, including polio and pertussis.
Schools in Miami-Dade and Broward continue to provide immunization opportunities, emphasizing student safety as their top priority.
