Florida Voters Opposed Changes to Vaccine Mandates
A new survey shows strong support among Florida residents for maintaining existing school vaccine requirements.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in COVID-19
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A recent poll found that 70% of Florida voters oppose ending school vaccine mandates, with 80% believing children should be vaccinated before starting school. The results indicate significant public pushback against recent shifts in state vaccine policy.
Why it matters
The survey results reveal a potential electoral liability for candidates who align with the state's current vaccine policies, as 40% of voters indicated they are less likely to support Byron Donalds or Ashley Moody for such positions.
A survey of 600 likely Florida voters, which carries a 4% margin of error, found that 57% oppose reducing the number of required school vaccinations. Additionally, 53% of respondents stated that other states should not follow Florida's model.
The players
Joseph Ladapo
He serves as the Florida Surgeon General and approved the recent rule change regarding school vaccines.
Byron Donalds
He is a political figure in Florida who has indicated he would likely retain the current Surgeon General.
Ashley Moody
She was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2025 and faces potential electoral scrutiny regarding her vaccine policy stances.
David Jolly
He is a political figure who has publicly pledged to remove the current Surgeon General from his position.
The details
In August, the state Surgeon General approved a rule that removed four vaccines from the school list, a move that appears out of step with a majority of the electorate. While voters trust Democrats more on healthcare affordability and accessibility, candidates like Byron Donalds have expressed support for retaining Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, while David Jolly has pledged to fire him.
Timeline
August: Surgeon General approved rule removing four vaccines.
Sept. 8-10: Pollsters conducted the survey.
Health Landscape
This polling data reflects a significant disconnect between the public and the current Florida school vaccination list rules. The findings suggest that voter sentiment is trending away from recent efforts to reduce state-mandated immunization requirements.
The results suggest that most parents and residents in Florida continue to support established school vaccination routines despite recent state-level policy changes. Voters are increasingly using these health metrics to weigh their support for candidates ahead of the upcoming election.
The takeaway
The data highlights a clear preference among Florida voters for maintaining standardized school immunization requirements. Candidates may need to reconsider how closely they align with recent administrative rule changes to maintain broader support.
Further reading
For more information on state health policies, visit the COVID-19 section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
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